Snow report Zugspitz Arena, 02/22/2020

Snow condition

There is hardly any snow below 1200 m. Due to the very high temperatures, it was T-shirt weather even on the north face of the Alpspitze for a short time. It got fresher again as the wind picked up. At lower altitudes, the warm weather really eats away at the snow cover. There is very little snow on the north face of the Alpspitze. Access from the ski depot is hardly possible at the moment. The ascent and descent in the wall is exposed, icy, partly icy and only in places powdery and nice to ski. In the upper part of the wall, the warming and sun of the last few days has spared a few patches. The winter via ferrata is in good conditions, 90 percent of the steel cable is above the snow.

Snow quality

Harakiri snow on the north face, more or less sensible skiing only possible in the uppermost part of the wall at about 2400m, about 10 cm of set powder below, hard but grippy. Ice and hard snow from the middle of the wall. No continuous descent possible to the traverse, too many rocks. Due to the conditions, we traversed out in the middle and up the winter climbing route. Surprisingly, there was still good powder snow on the east flank. The last 300m up to the Bernadein lift is a bit heavier snow, but runs well and is fun as it is grippy and slushy.

Only in an extremely steep gully in the Alpspitz north flank did we briefly think of today's hotspots because of a small field of drift snow, with a large additional load of small-scale drift snow. We were able to overcome the spot by walking individually, but the snow was waist-high in places and going around would certainly have been the better option. Even with a 1-person ski, drifting snow can quickly accumulate and thus pose a potential danger. Nevertheless, the risk of falling was probably the greater danger today. Many places are so icy due to the warm week that a fall in steep terrain would be impossible or difficult to stop.

Overall impression

Scenic tour with late riser tour map on the Kreuzeckbahn - north face up - ski down - via ferrata up - east face down - Bernadein lift up - down to the local mountain and back by train.
In summary, the north faces in the area don't seem to be in good conditions to me. Ice climbing or winter via ferratas seem to be a better alternative. Otherwise, where the wind wasn't blowing, the sun wasn't shining and the walls weren't high enough and not yet spurred, there are certainly great lines. We didn't look for them today, but we certainly didn't find them. Low avalanche danger also has its advantages, but we urgently need more snow here, as steep descents are only possible with restrictions at the moment