Snow report North chain, 03/14/2014

Snow condition

In the valley 0cm. Only the piste here is reminiscent of winter. Still OK on the mountain, but you can see more and more bushes and meadow patches on the summit slope. There is still a sufficient base on the more frequented variants. But there is hardly any snow on the trails and meadows below 1600m.

Snow quality

Frozen in the morning, then quite fast sulz. Also quite rutty. As there are practically no gullies on the Kofel, I can't judge whether there would have been good snow there. But due to the high temperatures in the last few days, I highly doubt it. With the wind picking up, the snow won't get any better....

According to the LLB 1 in the morning. In the afternoon on the border between 1 and 3. Due to the overcast sky, I would assume that the daily change in the avalanche warning level will be limited. Temperatures will also be lower than in the last few days. Nevertheless, I would be particularly careful on south-facing slopes in the afternoon. Fishmouths in particular are almost unpredictable, even on cooler days.

Overall impression

When you look at the Nordkette (see photos), you want to unpack your bike right away. The snow line is only just below 2000m above sea level. To find reasonable conditions off-piste around Innsbruck, you have to go to the Lizum or the Stubai. Nordkette and Kofel are currently anything but a recommendation.