Snow report Sölden, Ötztal, 12/08/2019

Snow condition

The snow conditions are great! It snowed down to about 1000m about 1 week ago. Coming from Innsbruck, there is snow from Grieß im Sellrain at 1100 m. The descent to the parking lot in Kühtai at 2000 m is also possible as a variant without stone contact. Variants out of the ski area with arrival on the pass road are also possible due to the snow conditions.

Snow quality

The snow is a week old and yet you can still find powder snow on the north-facing slopes. The wind has been blowing for the last few days and today is no exception. In places there is a small cap on the powder, but this doesn't make skiing any less fun. Accumulations of drifting snow in hollows and gullies are also sugary. On the south side, it gets firny from midday due to warm temperatures. The stones are not all covered yet, but if you ski carefully you will notice where the snow layer could be thin - because it has been blown away.

The Tyrolean Avalanche Warning Service issues a level 1 for all exposures online. In your email report, however, it says level 2 from 1800m onwards near the crest in steep terrain due to strong winds and drift snow accumulations. We're observing windy angling, vechtes and flags close to the ridge. The terrain is already well tracked (since 1 week after snowfall). Slopes up to 40° are being skied today. We observe no slides, no snowboards, no cracks. Even in the afternoon with rising temperatures, no formation of wet chutes or fish mouths.

Overall impression

If you read the tracks, you can still find the finest powder in the shade of the large north-facing slopes. And that a week after snowfall! Due to the high altitude of Kühtai, off-piste skiing and tours outside the area are really possible. With a watchful eye, I would rate the risk of "stoning" the new board as low. Sunshine, good people on the mountain and absolutely no powder stress. Pretty awesome for the beginning of December!