Snow report Pitztal Glacier, 05/24/2026

Snow condition

The snow depth on the glacier was reached last week, all normal variants were still easy to ski. You could get down to the valley from the emergency path by unbuckling your skis several times and occasionally walking up to 1950m on small strips of snow. At 3000m there is usually 2m of settled snow cover - but it is now a steep descent every day.

Snow quality

Depending on the exposure and steepness, the optimum time of descent varies greatly for optimum snow. Northeast 3000m+ was good at 9:30 / northwest 12:00 in the 3700 to 3000m range. Above 3500m there was still some powder left in the steeper north, but firn was of the best quality and therefore preferable. Below 2800m the snow became partly slippery.

Apart from wet loose snow avalanches I couldn't observe anything, but due to the progressive soaking every day there are also dangerous slab avalanches in the high Alps, some of which can be very large.

Overall impression

As in previous years, the first 30° day in the valley saw the highest snow levels on the glacier at 3000m and top conditions for high alpine destinations. Even otherwise crowded tours, which are done by hundreds of people in bad conditions in February/March, were deserted. Those who don't shy away from the greater effort and carry themselves up to the snow were rewarded the last few days. Unfortunately, the first longer warm phase usually also means the end for most tours in Tirol. The summer could once again be disastrous for the glaciers...