The end of March brought some magic! Two days of lift closures this week due to high winds and high avalanche danger led to one of the most incredible days of our season. The snow came in warm initially, but as the temperatures dropped it lightened up and morphed into the elusive “fast pow” .. snow that offers face shots but also supports you through big, fast, GS turns. SO.MUCH.FUN.
The week ahead is looking positive for us. A few storm days in a row with temperatures dropping, followed up with some sunny days. These little refreshes are keeping us motivated to put on our ski boots every day. Winter is not over here in Engelberg!
Testing…
The Ski Test crew from Aka Skidor, a Swedish ski magazine, spent the week here testing out a selection of the 23/25 freeride skis for their annual Gear Guide. The positive side of having a mixed bag of weather and conditions during their stay was that they were truly able to put each ski through its paces. Keep an eye out for the guide this fall!
Save the environment, buy pre-rocked gear!
The Second Hand Market is up and running! There are so many pre-loved goodies hoping for a second life inside waiting for you. Treat yourself (and mother nature) to something for your next adventure. *Cash only*
BBIT
Have you tried our latest burger in the running for Best Burger in Town? Local big mountain snowboarder Simone Le Grand has designed a veggie burger you shouldn’t miss.
The Le Grand:
– Brioche
– “Falloumi” Patty
– Harissa Paste
– Zucchini
– Grilled Pepper and White Onion Vinaigrette
– Cucumber-mint-cream cheese
– Tahini Lettuce
– Fries and dip
Yeah, we’re hungry now too.
Hard Facts
Snow depth Mountain (slope, 3.020m): 172 cm
Snow condition: powder, partially hard
Latest snowfall: Tue, 28.03. – Valley: Mon, 27.03.
Avalanche alert level: Danger level “considerable” (3) at all exposures and altitudes.
Hazard description
The danger points for dry avalanches are mainly on western, northern and eastern slopes above around 2200 m. Strong winds caused snowdrift accumulations, especially at higher altitudes. These should be judged with caution on steep terrain. Deeper in the snowpack, there are isolated weak layers that are prone to failure. Dry avalanches can be triggered in places by individual winter sports enthusiasts and can become dangerously large. Be careful, especially in areas with little snow.
The danger points for wet avalanches are below around 2400 m on all exposures. The rain leads to a loss of strength within the snow cover, particularly on steep shady slopes between around 1800 and 2400 m. Large, spontaneous avalanches are possible here and there in particular. Gliding snow avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.
Tours and off-piste descents require experience in assessing the avalanche danger.
Snow pack (from avalanche bulletin)
Above around 2200 m, there are still weak layers in the old snow, especially on north and east slopes. A lot of fresh snow fell in the west and north at the beginning of the week, so that avalanches in the old snow can only be triggered occasionally, most likely in places with little snow. In the regions with less fresh snow from southern Valais to Graubünden, the weak old snow is less covered and breaks in the weak old snow are therefore easier to trigger by people.
With the rain, the snow cover is weakened below 2400 m. This is particularly critical on northern slopes above around 2000 m, where the weak snowpack was previously dry.
Weather and Conditions in Engelberg
http://www.bergfex.com/engelberg/schneebericht/
https://www.meteoblue.com/de/wetter/vorhersage/woche/engelberg_schweiz_2660902
https://www.slf.ch/de/lawinenbulletin-und-schneesituation.html#lawinengefahr
http://www.titlis.ch/de/titlis-gebiet/wetter
// Snowy Regards from Your Friends at Ski Lodge Engelberg
