Snow report Upper Black Forest, 01/15/2021

Snow condition

4.5 stars for the altitude. It could hardly be better. This evening at the start at 400 m approx. 40 cm, then at 750 m approx. 80 cm. An unbelievable amount of snow for the Ortenau region. We've had another 10 cm since yesterday. I'm tempted to give it 5 stars, but I can still remember 2006 on the Feldberg, so we're probably still a bit away from that.

Snow quality

A very light cover at the bottom due to the sun today, but perfect as soon as you're in the forest. There were even a few face shots at about 500 meters above sea level! The snow is so light and there's so much of it that even the forest trail I chose this evening, which I remember from the summer as being very steep, is just enough to make 3-4 turns. Then you have to get back on track, take a running start and another 3-4 turns are possible.

On our forest trail, which is still untracked except for one track from yesterday, it's safe. For tomorrow, however, I'm expecting a very tricky mixture of a lot of very light fresh snow, nice weather and a lot of people, even those who aren't so experienced. It's going to be tricky, especially on the Feldberg and the like...

Overall impression

Another great end to the day. Deep snowy winter landscape, no people on our forest path, which was just steep enough to make a few very nice turns in the untracked deep snow. Tomorrow I'm going to do a "creative" tour in the northern Black Forest, far away from all the "well-known" tours. Defensive, but with the potential to make the most of the day. Let's see if the plan works out.