PowderAlert 2 2025/26 | Winter at last!?

As a Francophile freerider, the Oracle doesn't particularly like the destinationization of the Alps with American super ski passes and luxury ski tourism and is delighted that Ullr distributes snow to everyone in a grassroots democratic way. At least to the part of the Alps that, historically speaking, has experience with the oiling of guillotines and the violent abolition of the (ski) aristocracy. Unfortunately, less snow is coming further east, but the democratic Confederates are still getting quite a bit of snow in the north.

After a strange pre-alpine Stau in a small corner of northern Switzerland and Lake Effect (!) on Lake Geneva have given at least some parts of Switzerland a certain base and now something is clearly still to come in the west, it's safe to say: the real winter has come to stay. For how long? More on that below.

Alert period and affected areas

The alert is valid until Wednesday morning and extends from France to the Arlberg. It will probably be strongest on Monday, but the traffic jam in northern Switzerland on Tuesday should not be underestimated either.

The core stretches from the Lower Valais to France, because Ullr is afraid of torches and pitchforks. East of the Arlberg in Austria, we are scraping along the alarm line with a snow depth of around 30 cm and it will at least look more wintry.

Where should I go?

This is of course difficult in early winter. There's nothing in the trees and it gets too warm in the areas based in the foothills of the Alps. I would go to the Lower Valais and French Prealps on Monday to camp on alpine meadows above 1500 m, as there is a base there and lots of people come. Deeper in the Valais it also snows a lot, but there is no base there.

On Tuesday you can stay in the corner above 1200 m. But central Switzerland should also be interesting because of the Stau and the lower snow line in the foothills of the Alps.

On Wednesday, gaps in the clouds may open up between the last showers, so you may be able to go higher. But this is still quite uncertain. After that, it should remain cool and become a little sunnier, but the air mass will probably not allow bright sunshine, as some moisture will remain in play and clouds will also form.

Medium term

At the moment, it looks more like a longer dry spell across the crystal ball models from the weekend onwards. It will be a little warmer, but with the position of the sun, northern slopes are likely to stay good for longer. The oracle hopes that it won't stay dry for too long, because we're already dealing with the converted muck of October at altitudes above 2400 m.

So, dust off the Ullrshrine and light the candles!

Neige poudreuse a le peuple!

Votre Oràkél

Snow depth prediction game #1: Core zone station "L'Ecreuleuse (2252m)"

Snow depth prediction game #1 will take place at station "L'Ecreuleuse (2252 m)" from Sunday, Nov. 23, 5:00 pm to Nov. 26, 10:00 am. The initial snow depth at the station "L'Ecreuleuse (2252m)" is 76 cm (23.11. 17:00).

Write your fresh snow tip by Monday, 24.11. at 18:00 below as a comment! Reminder: Tip game rules, tip player reminder via email.