Snow report Alpenostrand, 02/20/2021

Snow condition

Sufficient snow from 1400 to 1500m, even in the forest sections. From 1600m it has the usual 70-90cm this year in the northern and central Alps of Styria. At the very bottom (start was at 1060m) it was a bit sad. On the sunny side, there was snow on the snowy side right up to the top and slowly also on the snowy side in the forest, there were many bare areas.

Snow quality

Still dry and powdery conditions on the shaded slopes (north-facing steep cirque). Somewhat inhomogeneous due to wind influences, but still deserves three stars at these higher altitudes. Further down and on the sunny side then damp. The transition between sun and shade was then a constant change from slush to crust.

From the tree line 2 (below 1). Tends to be a low 2, but note the diurnal variation. Fresh wet snow slides (probably from yesterday afternoon) were visible in steep gullies.

Overall impression

The conditions in the upper steep cirque - characterized by remnants of powder in the consistently shady slopes in combination with almost no wind and sun - justify the 4-star rating. At the very bottom (below approx. 1200 there was unfortunately a cleared forest road, which was extremely icy and unfortunately also stony in sections). However, I have taken this part out of the rating.
The rating also includes the terrain, which is really very skier-friendly and varied. There were also some untracked sections.