Snow report Grisons, 01/28/2018

Snow condition

From 2,000m (also below, but this was our base camp) there is above-average snow. This will stay with us until spring. Of course, it has been blown away in places by the wind, especially near the ridge, so caution is advised despite meters of snow!

Snow quality

In the three days I've skied pretty much everything. On the south-facing slope, the sun developed enormous power last week (very unusual for the time of year) and attacked the surface accordingly, resulting in a nasty layer of harsh snow. Very difficult to ski, as you can only break through uncontrolled and sporadically, with fantastic powder snow in the northern exposure between 2,000m and 3,000m. There, the joy is only dampened by the snowpacks and hard patches.

On Friday it was still three, then reduced to two on Saturday and Sunday, with numerous sliding snow avalanches, especially on south-facing slopes. Preferably on steeper slopes and near ridges or on gullies, where cornices also broke and then turned into avalanches. Apart from the observations on the south-facing slope, no other dangers were observed in the entire area on all three days, and the snowpack made a stable impression (with the exception of the problems on the south-facing slope), except for the drifts and cornices near the ridge, which should be avoided!

Overall impression

Lots of snow, beautiful untracked slopes and fantastic powder in the northern exposition.

Every meter of ascent is worth it!