Snow report Grisons, 12/15/2019

Snow condition

As already mentioned in the tour, quite decent snow conditions for December in some places. However, strong high-altitude winds have blown off many exposed ridges and ridges. Gullies and hollows are well filled with drift snow. Descents in the forest are only possible with some ground contact.

Snow quality

The impression of the snow quality varies greatly. In some places there is drift snow that feels like a hard crust or a wind cover. Here 2 stars! Due to the sun-exposed location on the Arosa side, small slopes were always super surfable as the snow was softened a little. Just as surprisingly, there were a few great runs in the afternoon with preserved powder on the Lenzerheide side, which was in the shade in the morning. The slopes are generally in very good condition for December.

On the ascent to the Schiesshorn on Saturday, enormous wind plumes could be seen on the ridges and peaks. Accordingly, the next morning the entire area was characterized by large areas of drifting snow. The avalanche report warned with a 3 of the danger of drift snow packs, which are thick and can be disturbed at the edges. There is also talk of building layers and possible breakthrough to deeper layers. No spontaneous avalanches were sighted in the entire area. On some steeper slopes, the snow was hard and compact. The situation cannot be completely trusted at the moment. With the appropriate additional load, a snow slab can certainly be triggered.

Overall impression

Took the first gondola up and tried out carving in the morning in an almost deserted area. It also works with touring skis! Discovered that, although it doesn't look like it off-piste, it's really fun to ski in places. My Advent wish: I'd love to have a short, fun warm-up to improve the sometimes not-so-favorable layer structure and the connection to the drift snow. Then lots of fresh snow just in time for Christmas.