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This winter is a bit of a rollercoaster: nothing happens for a long time and then things get crazy. A bit like the Italian westerns that shaped our youth.

The Doors sang about it, the Avengers made a movie about it - and only the sausage has two. The end. However, Ullr and the PowderAlert are not about something existential like the end of our own existence, the end of the world or the last relationship, but only about the end of our west or northwest situation, which is now rolling inexorably on. People in Valais and France are probably quite happy about this and even the oracle whistled through his teeth this morning when he saw that the avalanche danger had been upgraded to level 5. The little cousin of February 1999 is showing his teeth. (And who else but the Oracle finds a downgrade at level 5 a bit odd? "That's like getting an F+ at school," was the best comment in the chat today). Before the westerly thaw is over this weekend after almost two weeks, some more alarm-worthy snow is coming.

For freeriders, these are not necessarily memories of the 1.57 m tall "Sexy" [censored swear word that deals with mothers and sexual activity], or of the "Artist Formerly Known as Prince" and his song, but of the exceptional February 1999 (exciting memory from the SLF). And this time Ullr invites us to another powder party.

Everyone is waiting for The Big One, albeit for different reasons.

"Five Rings to rule them all, Five Rings to find them, Five Rings to bring them all, and in the Powder bind them." - There is fresh snow in the Olympic region

Powder is like food. You want to enjoy it and preferably the best quality, of course. But that's where the parallels end, because you can never get enough of powder, whereas with food, if you don't indulge in decadence, as in ancient Rome, you will be full at some point.

A few days ago, there were reports on social media (not from us!) that a new, large südstau was coming. But as is the case with Ullr, Italian lows and precipitation forecasts beyond 72 hours, that was probably symbolic for social media. More hype than substance.

For weeks, keen freeriders have been wandering through the vastness of the Alps in search of powder, like whalers on the ocean in search of lantern oil or pirates in search of bounty. For a long time, there was nothing in sight. But now, finally we can hear: "There she blows, dump backboard ahead!" and there's snow again in the north-western Alps.

Merry Christmas from PowderGuide, it's always nice to get something extra for free. Ullr also gives us something extra for the last alarm.

The year is 2025 AD. The entire Alps have been conquered by drought. The whole Alps? No, a small Ullian village in the southwest of the Alps is resisting the invasion.

"You don't have snow for ski touring in Europe? Let them go heli-skiing in Alaska!". This famous quote from Marie Antoinette about the frequent situation in early winter in Europe famously led to the snowflake revolution of 1999.