Snow report Brandnertal / Rätikon, 02/27/2021

Snow condition

The snow has become significantly less due to the warm spell. On the south side, it's already starting to thin out below 1,200 - 1,400 meters. It's easy to start in Brand on and off the piste towards Oberzalimkopf and Oberzalimhütte.

Snow quality

In addition to the warm temperatures, the night was very cloudy with light precipitation in places. In other words, it didn't really freeze at all, below approx. 1,900 m the snow cover was already wet in the morning, above that it was hard depending on the exposure. In the descent on the east side around 11 a.m. nice firn above approx. 1,900 m. In other exposures or wherever the wind was in play, there was an alternation of hard snow, hard slabs, windswept slabs and crusty snow. With hopefully a clear night ahead, there should be good firn tomorrow if we leave in time. Due to the high temperatures, however, you'll have to be out early and the window of opportunity for firn is short.

As long as you pay attention to the time of day when it warms up, and sit down early with a wheat beer or cappuccino at lunchtime, safe touring conditions.

Overall impression

Unfortunately, the weather put a spanner in the works: the clouds remained and the sun only came through briefly above 2,000 m. Nevertheless, it was better than expected: firn on the east side, otherwise quite good windswept snow, and slush at the bottom.
Hopes are pinned on a clear night with a clear forecast for tomorrow.