Snow report Zugspitz Arena, 03/19/2016

Snow condition

Between Garmisch (750m) and the mountain station of the Osterfelderkopf (2050m) we were only on the piste, between Osterfelder and the summit (2626m) good snow conditions in all exposures. The snow conditions in the Alspitz north face were perfect, no rock contact. The descent via the east flank also looked good from the summit. There was hardly any snow left in the lower areas, even on the north side, you can tell that spring is coming and the winter wasn't exactly the snowiest. Descent into the valley only possible on the piste, closed snow cover on the north side from approx. 1300-1400m.

Snow quality

Everywhere the sun was firn to slush, on the north face the sun didn't manage to melt the snow. Here, the snow ranged from strongly wind-pressed powder to stable wind-harsh. All in all, however, the snow was very grippy, which was an advantage on the steep flank. Good snow quality for our undertaking, hence three stars.

LWD Bavaria reported level one in all exposures in the morning. We can confirm this, the snow looked very well consolidated and everything looked stable even on the very steep northern flank. Where the sun was shining (already quite spring-like today), we had to be careful of course due to diurnal warming.

Overall impression

An absolutely fantastic day with dream weather that makes you forget the numerous rather mediocre days we've already had this winter. Hardly any powder left, but still top conditions for the north-facing steep descent. Even if you're not alone at the summit in this weather, we had the north flank completely to ourselves.