Österreich

Temperatures remain wintry for the time being. There is fresh snow here and there in not very abundant quantities. Overall, the snow conditions still leave a lot to be desired, although the snow quality is often relatively good at the moment thanks to the low temperatures. The wind could have a say in this over the next few days, but the situation will remain more or less as it is, at least until the weekend.

The Alp-Con Cinema Tour is once again traveling through Austria and bringing spectacular films with it! As in previous years, the film program is a successful mix of top international productions and works by local filmmakers. Just in time for the start of the season, the Alp-Con Cinema Tour is back on the big screen with its snow film block and the new MSP film.

In order to achieve the Paris climate targets, the energy transition needs to step up a gear. In Austria, the plan is to generate 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The fact that the energy transition must be a major goal for all of us in the fight against the climate crisis is not open to debate. The question is how it will be implemented, as the transformation of the energy supply will have a massive impact on nature and the landscape.

February develops a "Febrile" character and brings us a few days of mild, very spring-like weather before it becomes more unsettled and cooler again towards the weekend. Deep winter cold is not in sight, the snow hopes are focused on "mountain winter" due to westerly weather.

The snow of tomorrow has many faces. And as we can't and don't want to imagine the future of winter sports alone, PowderGuide author Lisa spoke to Moritz Nachtschatt, Managing Director of Protect our Winters Austria, about what POW is doing for the future of the sport, why day tours are anything but climate-friendly and what ski resorts will look like in 2050.

It's that time of year again: the mountains are covered in snow, you slowly need a sweater and jacket in the valley again, the season and group ski passes justify the latest price increases, the first turns on the glaciers, PowderGuide starts the season. We're not quite in regular operation yet, but are gliding step by step towards winter as usual.

The weather is set to be changeable over the next few days, with not-so-bad snow options, especially from next week. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the crystal ball is not mistaken and maintains its current vision. Long-term visions for the future are unfortunately much less snowy, reports the ZAMG.

Over the last few days, the media has repeatedly reported on collapsed roofs in the snowy regions south of the main Alpine ridge. How much snow load must a roof actually be able to withstand and how many kilograms of snow are currently on Austria's roofs?

The Working Group of Austrian Avalanche Warning Services has published its seasonal report for winter 2019/20. The report not only contains statistical evaluations of the past avalanche winter, but also many detailed and impressively illustrated analyses of specific accidental avalanches. In addition to the LWDs of the Austrian federal states, the SLF and the LWD South Tyrol are also represented with guest contributions.

This year, some things are a little different and in addition to the familiar questions such as "Which ski resorts are already open?", there are new ones, for example: "What about the travel warnings and what does that mean for my ski season?"

The Working Group of Austrian Avalanche Warning Services has published its seasonal report for winter 2018/19. As always, the report not only contains statistical evaluations of the past avalanche winter, but also many detailed and impressively illustrated analyses of specific accidental avalanches. In addition to the LWDs of the Austrian federal states, the SLF and the LWD South Tyrol are also represented with guest contributions.

A jumble of terms! What do they mean for us recreation seekers and where do they apply - especially now in winter?