Pitztal on 19.12.2021 | ChevChelios

Snow condition

The area has not yet been blessed with too much snowfall this winter. The positive thing first: you can ski all the way from Rofen to the ridge of the Hochvernagtspitze. However, very defensive skiing is advisable in the lower section of the summer trail. Even further up, where the terrain becomes rockier, there is actually still too little snow and it still looks more like a rocky desert. Which is not so tragic in this case, as you cross quite a lot in the really rocky areas or only travel slowly due to the flat terrain. However, there is no need to think about steeper descents in this terrain. Above approx. 2900m and generally on the glaciers it looks better, you can ski well there.

Snow quality

Amazingly good snow quality. Which in this case unfortunately only means that instead of the worst broken snow and icy conditions, there was still wind-influenced, powdery snow and snow softened by the sun, which was still quite nice to ski on. As there was little to no precipitation in the area on the "rainy day" of 13.12., there was at least no icy crust of rain. High up in the Alps, however, the wind worked hard and blew away almost everything that could be blown away. As a result, there are wind gusts and strongly blown and wind-pressed areas, especially at very high altitudes.

On east-facing slopes (approx. 3200m altitude, > 35 degrees in the crack area), 2 not too old snow slabs were visible, one of them with a large crack height estimated at over half a meter. Drift snow in combination with weak old snow may have been the trigger. You should definitely avoid steep slopes that have been blown in.

Overall impression

Once again, we explored a new touring area that we would not otherwise have visited in better snow conditions. As expected, of limited interest to downhill ski tourers, but very beautiful scenery. Fantastic weather, with even less wind and better snow than expected. Could be worse is the German word for it.