Snow report Vaud and Fribourg Alps, 12/23/2019

Snow condition

There is snow down to 1000m in Zweisimmen. Saanenmöser's area does not go higher than 1900 m. There is plenty of snow in between. Only in the dense, steep forest is there a lack of base. Otherwise there is no ground contact and everything, including the riverbeds, is passable.

Snow quality

There was a fluffy 20 cm of fresh snow overnight. In the lower part, it fell without the influence of wind. The upper part is still stormy during the day. Crests are blown off. But wind-blown snow between the trees is fantastic. From 1400m upwards, it's going to be pretty sticky in the afternoon.

The slf has issued an avalanche warning level 3 for today. This refers to all exposures above 1800m. The snow has fallen with plenty of wind influence. There are drift snow packs on the lee side, these are relatively visible and do not pose a great danger in the forest. Saanenmöser is generally flat, so that no slides are observed on slopes up to 35°.

Overall impression

An unexpected 3-star day before Christmas. The slopes in Saanenmöser are easily visible and accessible. There's not much going on. However, the freeriders who are on the mountain are all on the same slopes, so it's easy to get lost. Visibility is great in the trees. There's even a brief spit of sunshine in the afternoon. Absolutely not "sunny". But it was the best we could get out of the day! It continued to snow with wind for the next few days. Be careful as soon as you have visibility and can go higher above the tree line.
We're hoping for more open lifts over the next few days. Then new worlds will be open;)