23.12.2024
So today I’m writing this blog on the train down to Lucerne. Last-minute holiday shopping is on the agenda, and the cars are stacked up all along the valley. The quick decision was to jump in the car to avoid two things: 1) digging it out from beneath a 40cm layer of fresh snow that fell overnight, and 2) spending hours stuck in traffic until after New Year’s. That would’ve been a real disappointment for our family, who are coming to join us for Christmas!
Now, back to the snow report! Did I mention it’s snowing? It is, and honestly, in my 10 years here, I haven’t seen snowfall like this in a while—especially not over Christmas. Normally, we’d be lucky to get a white Christmas in town at 1023m. One year, the Titlis Cableways even had to fly in snow with helicopters to prepare the slopes for the season. Gotta love the Swiss!
Snow Report Engelberg
So what has happened since last blog on Friday? Did we get 2m as promised? We already had 76 cm new on the mountain and 35 cm in the valley (yes I measured it myself and it’s still snowing. The predicament seems to land around just under 2 m in 5 days. As predicted.
Stay up to date here: https://wepowder.com/en/forecast
Where to ski in Engelberg
Is it closed on parts of the mountain? Yes, it’s closed above 1800m due to strong winds and 76 cm of fresh snow. The Titlis side is also closed because of both avalanche risks and the wind.
Important Fact: The snow patrol only secures the pistes and the surrounding areas to prevent avalanches from affecting the groomed slopes. They do not secure off-piste areas, so it’s crucial to assess the risks yourself if you plan to ski off-piste. This is not a drill – and these conditions do kill people on steep terrain. Hopefully, the higher areas will reopen in the next few days, but they will only do so once they’ve had time to secure the terrain and ensure it’s safe for piste skiers.
Brunni in Engelberg
On days like this, we ski Brunni. While it’s not completely risk-free, it’s generally lower risk compared to steeper terrain. Brunni offers vast fields of low-angle slopes, with trees lining the sides to guide us. It can be tricky to navigate all the routes, but you can always refer to the Engelberg Outdoor Guide for the best paths. Also, here’s a map of the skiing routes on the Brunni side of Engelberg, including walking trails—fun fact: they work for skiing too! You heard it here first.
Hard Facts
Snow depth Mountain (slope, 3.020m): 157 cm (new: 76 cm)
Valley: 23cm (new 19+)
Snow condition: powder
Latest snowfall: December 23th
Avalanche alert level: 4 – high (with wind slabs read the bulletin!!!)
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
https://www.titlis.ch/en/webcams
Stay tuned for the next Ski Lodge Engelberg Snow Report, dropping early next week in our Bulletin. Make sure to check weather conditions daily as the forecast can change quickly. Always make your own decisions!
Snowy Regards The Ski Lodge Team
