Snow report Stubai Valley, 04/13/2018

Snow condition

Valley descent via the wild pit still possible. Lots of snow at the top of the glacier, but some of the ridges have been blown off by the wind.

Snow quality

Fresh snow with wind influence. At high altitudes and on slopes that were not directly exposed to the sun, the snow was still powdery and easy to ski. There were also a few face shots to be taken. The weather was better than forecast and the sunlight quickly made the snow sticky/wet at lower altitudes and on slopes exposed to the sun.

Fresh snow at the top with a lot of wind influence. Watch out for drifting snow on steeper slopes today. In addition, the warm temperatures and sunshine in lower and middle elevations caused rapid soaking of the snow cover. Watch out for wet and sliding snow there. Some large avalanches have already come down.

Overall impression

Better weather than expected/announced, plus about 20cm of fresh snow, which was easy to ride in the right exposures. Enough for a few nice lines. In addition, by Stubai standards, there were few freeriders out and about. The biggest competition for the lines was the group of over 10 people, led by a ski instructor, who all hit the slopes at the same time (without equipment and skiing skills, of course)...