Schweiz

It's dumping! And that in hurricane-force winds! The appropriate name for the upcoming system for freeriders would be: Dumpicane. As our PowderGuide weather expert, the only one who really knows her stuff, has already explained how it comes about (WeatherBlog for Freeriders 07/2012), here's what it means for us. It's "dumping"!

Nothing new in the west, or how Ullr sweetens our wait with lots of small snowfalls. Now that last week's dump has been digested and photographed, this week will see a punctual replenishment on the northern and western slopes of the Alps. It has already started to snow in the west and north of Switzerland and in France today and the front will also move eastwards along the northern edge of the Alps during the course of the day.

In Austria and Switzerland, this year's November will go down in history as the November with the least precipitation since measurements began. Temperatures were well above average at higher altitudes, but a little too cold for the time of year in the high fog basins.

Summer, sun and lazing on the beach – forget it! With "Pied a la lune" (French for Auerbachsalto) you will find the finest spots that cry out for chilled and action-packed afternoons. Discover sun-warmed rocks and lush green meadows, but above all well-suited rocks and bridges to collect enough airtime over the summer months - we don't want to be out of practice for the next winter season, do we?

A three-day ski tour in the middle of the well-developed Swiss Alps without crossing a single other trail – total solitude. Far away from fashionable ski tours, comfortable huts and crowded summits, there are still some quiet, almost untouched spots in the Swiss mountains. Packed with tent and food, the search for solitude leads to the Lower Engadine.

Mountaineers consider the Bishorn to be one of the easiest four-thousand-metre peaks in the Alps. However, climbing it by bike is anything but an everyday bike tour. In addition to rope safety, crampons, glaciers and mountaineers, there is still enough room for a proper bike descent. Directly from the summit at 4153 m, of course.

The alarm clock rings at half past three in the morning. Nevertheless, we are happy to finally get up, as the loud snoring of our roommates (even though we are equipped with earplugs!) has caused us to toss and turn more than we sleep. After a spartan breakfast, we set off with the first group at half past four in unpleasant temperatures.