Saalbach / Fieberbrunn on 27.01.2024 | winterkind

Snow condition

The rain and the higher temperatures have had a good effect on the snow cover. Below an altitude of 1000 m, it was already thin on the south side. Exposed north-western exposures are quite blown out.

Snow quality

From top to bottom: A lot of drift snow close to the ridge, followed by a layer of fresh snow knee-deep on a stable base, followed by broken snow (fortunately only a few meters) and finally slightly damp snow.

The NW wind was whistling near the crest and transported the small amount of fresh snow. Particularly close to the ridge, the drift snow lies on a hard base, binds very poorly with it and is therefore very easy to disturb. With the whiteout today in the summit region (which we didn't expect), a serious assessment of the drift snow accumulations was not possible and there are also huge cornices at the moment. That was too exciting for us. We actually wanted to go a little further with skins, but instead we skied down again until the visibility allowed us to assess the situation to some extent. Pay attention to the drift snow near the ridge and the gliding snow activity will increase again in the next few days.

Overall impression

Quite a used day. First, the start of the gondola was delayed due to an icy rope, then the weather didn't play ball with a great whiteout and wind in the summit regions and the snow quality wasn't a highlight either. But better to be out in the fresh air than just looking out of the window with no ambition.