We had another great week in our Engelberg ski paradise! With a couple of new snowfalls after the big dump last week, there’s over three meters at the top. Windy conditions and warmer temperatures have made the ski conditions interesting, so it is a good idea to read the daily avalanche report before heading out there.
Spring Adventures
The great thing about large amounts of snow in March is that it sets us up for an incredible spring. Spring is the ideal time for bigger adventures in the mountains. If you are intrigued by the idea of a multi-day tour, we highly recommend checking out what Engelberg Mountain Guides are offering. A couple of our guest’s favorite local routes include the Engelberger Haute Route and the Urner Haute Route.
Planning for Summer
It’s also the perfect time to start planning your summer adventures! Whether you are looking for climbing tours, via ferratas, glacier treks, or casual mountain walks, Engelberg is full of incredible outdoor experiences. Engelberg Mountain Guides offers a plethora of excursions in the summer, and you can book directly on their website. We would love to be a part of your summer adventures, offering a place to rest your head and fuel you up with both B&B or Half-Board booking options.
We love welcoming guests on both ends of these adventures, and are happy to keep your things here during your longer missions. See you here on your next excursion!
Hard Facts
Snow depth Mountain (slope, 2149 m): 321 cm
Latest snowfall: 18.03.24
Avalanche alert level (from WhiteRisk avalanche bulletin): Moderate (2+ )Dry avalanches. NESW. >2200m. Danger level “moderate” (2+) in west to north to east facing aspects above 2200m. No distinct avalanche problem. Avalanches can be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack. They can reach quite a large size. In addition the somewhat older wind slabs in particular adjacent to ridgelines and generally at elevated altitudes are capable of being triggered in some locations. In high Alpine regions the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Backcountry touring calls for careful route selection.
Moderate (2) Wet-snow avalanches. NESW. <2800m. Danger level “moderate” (2) in all aspects below 2800m. Wet snow, Gliding snow. In particular on very steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on steep south facing slopes below approximately 2800 m, as well as on steep east and west facing slopes below approximately 2600 m. Avalanches can reach large size. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small to medium-sized wet avalanches are possible as the day progresses.
Snow pack (from WhiteRisk avalanche bulletin): A combination of mild temperatures and sunny weather meant that new and drift snow from Monday settled and consolidated rapidly; this happened somewhat more slowly on north-facing slopes at higher altitudes. In some places there in particular, avalanches may be triggered in near-surface layers. Around the crusts in older layers in the upper part of the snowpack, weak layers with a sometimes faceted crystal structure are deposited. Avalanches may still be released in these layers, especially in southern Valais and in the inneralpine regions of Grisons. Deep layers of the snowpack are compact in many places and for the most part do not contain distinct weak layers.
The snowpack is soaked on south-facing slopes up to about 3000 m, on east- and west-facing slopes up to approximately 2000 m, and on north-facing slopes up to around 1800 m. Furthermore, gliding avalanches are to be expected primarily on east-, south- and west-facing slopes below approximately 2800 m and more rarely on north-facing slopes. These may be large.
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
