Sulden, Ortler on 17.12.2021 | htg_other grand beau, with a "crispy challenge" on the descent

Snow condition

below 2000m only cosmetically white. above the forest line almost all ridges and edges are clear.

Snow quality

above the tree line in expo s to w, all windblown and partially capped. despite pleasant temperatures, no firn today.

you can elegantly avoid the old and drift snow problem on the ascent if you lay the track where there is little snow. in the descent, you should look for the capped areas. they are so hard that no deeper layers can be disturbed. the problem remains the transition from hard to broken, which can be tricky but is easy to recognize if you ski with foresight.

Overall impression

despite the onset of very strong winds from late afternoon, nothing will change significantly in the coming days.