Snow report Stubai Valley, 01/01/2022

Snow condition

Due to the strong wind influence, the slopes in the terrain also look accordingly. Exposed slopes and ridges have been blown away and there is generally still little snow on the steeper flanks. Overall, the Stubai Alps towards the main ridge are definitely still one of the better areas in Tyrol in terms of snow conditions. However, you still have to watch out for stone contact in the terrain.

Snow quality

Above 2,500m it hasn't rained at least, but the wind has done a great job of moving and compacting the fresh snow (an estimated 25cm at 2,800m). On exposed slopes, you can find wind-pressed snow that is still powdery at altitude and is therefore quite nice to ski on. Otherwise, there are almost all types of snow: non-load-bearing wind cover and wind gulleys alternate with areas of powdery snow.

Fresh drift snow in steeper terrain should be avoided. However, due to the strong wind from changing directions, this is hardly ever on steep slopes that are prone to triggering anyway, but mostly only on flat terrain. During the last precipitation event, many wet snow avalanches came down below 2,300m. There were no slab avalanches to be seen, in the standard variant slope between Daunferner and Eisgrat a crater from a blast could be seen at the top, but nothing was triggered.

Overall impression

Beautiful New Year's ski tour! When the temperatures are already so warm, you have to go to higher altitudes at the beginning of January. Probably some of the best snow you can find off-piste at the moment. And from the line, the western flank of the Pfaffenschneide isn't bad either.