Snow report Piedmont, 04/01/2018

Snow condition

6-day tour from Abries in Queyras (France) to Val Susa in Piedmont (Italy).snow in the south from 1700m, in the north up to 1400m.route by days:1.4. - Abries (picture 1: view of Monte Viso)2.4. - crossing Col St. Martin (picture 2: France, picture 3: Italy!)3/4.4. - Two days in the Parco Naturale Troncea with fresh snow (pictures 4 & 5)5.4. - from the "hut" PraCatinat (picture 6: former hospital) ascent in powder (picture 7) and descent in wet fresh snow (picture 8) to the hut Selleries (recommended!)6.4. - from Selleries to Val Susa (picture 9: Val Susa and Rocciamelone)

Snow quality

Changeable conditions depending on location, altitude and time of day: near the crest, broken snow, slopes facing away from the sun partly with powder (picture 10), below 2000m already at noon wet, slowing snow.

Many wet snow avalanches in S, SE and SW. No snow slabs seen in N. Some passes are dangerous with the wintry avalanche situation. Fresh snow is forecast again this week...

Overall impression

Beautiful tour with excellent Piedmontese cuisine. As the avalanche situation at higher altitudes is still wintry (e.g. Col d'Albergian), we deviated from the planned route and used bus transfers several times.