Snow report Ecrins, 11/24/2018

Snow condition

Below 1700 m there is hardly any snow, depending on the exposure. From 2000 m there is a good base and with the fresh snow that has fallen you can practically avoid stone contact if you choose your line carefully. Above 2500 good base. Medium rocks and stones are still sticking out.

Snow quality

Approx. 30 cm of fresh snow fell under the influence of light winds. From 2500 m upwards, even 40 cm and loose and dusty in the wind-protected areas.

From around 2500 m, I would rate the avalanche risk as very high. This is indicated by clear wind signs such as an enormous cornice over the entire ridge of the Combeynot Massif as well as the partly brittle snow surface. For all those who still didn't believe that winter also brings avalanches on this day, a splitboarder triggered a 20m wide snow slab with a crack height of 50cm on the ascent to Pic W below the first saddle at around 2600m. On this day, everyone else had skied down beforehand. Some small boards came loose in steep gullies.

Overall impression

It's great to make a handful of dusty turns without fearing stone contact (the first 2 handfuls of turns to be precise. Otherwise you need a homogeneous base. Rocky ridges need significantly more snow.