Snow report Piedmont, 02/18/2017

Snow condition

Not bad at all, especially above approx. 1900 to 2000m. However, more in the north-facing terrain chambers. Some of these even look really great covered in snow. If you choose your route carefully, there are no problems with stones, etc. However, there is not much snow on the south-facing slopes below 2000m and obviously only the snow that fell about a week ago, so only 2 stars, because it is simply bad that there are already such differences between the exposures in mid-February.

Snow quality

Everything between -2 and 3 stars. We even found really loose (old) powder snow on the shaded side from 2000m upwards. Close to the ridge (2600-2800m), of course, wind-treated. Firn conditions on the east and south sides, but these are not always stable. In any case, the differences are enormous. Triumph and tragedy are sometimes only a few meters apart!

LWD says moderate. Yesterday there were some small snow slabs that had already fallen (self-releasing). In very steep gullies, depending on the exposure, also (smaller) wet snowfalls.

Overall impression

The Valle Maira is simply always something special. So far, we've had huge differences every day during a descent: from very great to (for us) almost unrideable. In any case: fantastic weather, good food and first lines for us! You just have to be able to appreciate (exposure-related) spring conditions in high winter.