After a few weeks of warmer weather, winter is back in action. It didn’t just return, it came back with two nights of snow followed by a glorious bluebird powder day. It doesn’t take much to put a smile on our faces, and the Ski Lodge bar was full of laughter and rosy cheeks this week.
How to ski Engelberg on a powder day
If you are lucky enough to find yourself here in Engelberg on a bluebird powder day, we have a few tips and tricks to make the most of it.
- Wake up early, and head to the Ski Lodge breakfast buffet right at 7:00. Don’t miss the Bircher Muesli, as it will keep you full and energized through the morning.
- Head to the Titlis base station to be there before 8:30. That’s definitely the best way to avoid the hectic lift lines.
- If you plan to ski off piste, functional avalanche gear is a necessity. If you aren’t highly familiar with the terrain and avalanche mitigation, we definitely recommend going with a guide. Reach out to Engelberg Mountain Guides and they will find someone for you.
- Once you’re on the lift, read through the WhiteRisk avalanche report and take a look at the slopes for any signs of activity. Based on these things, make a decision with your crew about where to ski.
- Where do we like to start on a powder day? Steinberg or Big Sulz. They keep you up above the base station, and you are bound to have a few laps of untracked snow. Laub, Galtiberg, or Alpelen (if you’re in the mood for a walk) are great runs to end the day on.
- Finish it all off with our famous Skier’s Dinner, a rotating 3-course menu that will absolutely refuel and recharge you for another day of powder skiing.
Ready to ski pow with us? Book your stay.
Hard Facts
Snow depth Mountain (slope, 3020m): 300 cm
Latest snowfall: 20.02.24
Avalanche alert level (from WhiteRisk avalanche bulletin):
Considerable (3-)Dry avalanches. NESW. >2400m. Danger level “considerable” (3-) in northwest to northeast to southeast facing aspects above 2400m. New snow. The new snow and wind slabs of the last two days are in some cases prone to triggering. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized and can be released in some cases by a single winter sport participant. As a consequence of a strengthening southwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in the afternoon. These are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.
Moderate (2)Wet-snow avalanches. NESW. <2600m. Danger level “moderate” (2) in all aspects below 2600m. Gliding snow: On steep grassy slopes individual gliding avalanches are possible. These can reach large size. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.
Snow pack (from WhiteRisk avalanche bulletin): Some of the new snow and wind slabs from the last two days are prone to triggering. This is particularly the case on north-facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, where they sometimes overlay a loose old snow surface having a faceted crystal structure.
Hardly any of the old snowpack is prone to triggering. However, in its upper area there are some layers with a faceted crystal structure around crusts. Avalanches may still be triggered in places in these layers. This is especially true on shady slopes at a fair distance from ridgelines and protected from the wind.
Gliding avalanches are still possible, primarily on east-, south- and west-facing slopes below approximately 2600 m and more rarely on north-facing slopes below approximately 2200 m. These avalanches may be large in some cases in regions with a lot of snow.
Weather and Conditions in Engelberg
http://www.bergfex.com/engelberg/schneebericht/
https://www.meteoblue.com/de/wetter/vorhersage/woche/engelberg_schweiz_2660902
https://whiterisk.ch/en/conditions/bulletin
http://www.titlis.ch/de/titlis-gebiet/wetter
// Snowy Regards from Your Friends at Ski Lodge Engelberg
