Savoie / Haute-Tarentaise Avalanche Forecast
for off-piste, freeride & backcountry skiing & snowboarding

See full forecast at www.meteofrance.com

Valid for: 6/3/2012

Overall Risk Estimate: 2

Snowpack:

The fresh snow and the strong gusts of wind at all altitudes, with steadier strong winds close to Piedmont, could have formed some superficial soft or harder slabs. The passage of a single skier may be enough to trigger a sluff or avalanche, this risk being higher in the southern part of the region and especially on north aspects and in other colder areas where the underlying layer is composed of grains without any cohesion.

With the return of cold weather, the rest of the snowpack (which was very wet, especially on sunny south-east to south-west aspects) is consolidating. Nevertheless, with sunny weather during the daytime, one or two full-depth slabs of wet snow remain possible and the passage of skiers, snowboarders or snowshoers may help to trigger these slides. Some superficial slides or larger avalanches of recent snow or soft slab may also occur spontaneously on sunny slopes at any altitude.

Snow quality:

Good snow-cover for the beginning of March (snow-depths above average or locally below in the southern part of the region), skiable down to the valley floors on north aspects, or to 1500m or higher on south aspects. The small layer of fresh snow which has fallen since Saturday night (5-15cm above 1400m) will become humid in the sun or may remain cold and light where it is not packed or hardened by the wind. This fresh snow covers older snow which is hard due to melt/freeze action or wind hardening or may be old, colder, uncohesive snow on north aspects above 1500m and in other colder areas.

*For more details of the named winds referred to in the forecasts, see www.weatheronline.co.uk

This information is provided free of charge and will be updated as often as other commitments allow, but we can't guarantee that we'll be able to provide an updated forecast every day. Feel free to link to this page, but please do not copy or reproduce the forecast.

DISCLAIMER - The White Room accepts no responsiblity for the accuracy of this information. We strongly recommend reading the official avalanche forecast available (in French) at www.meteofrance.com and posted at the base station of most ski resorts. Off-piste skiing and snowboarding is an inherently hazardous activity and a careful assessment of the risks from avalanche and many other hazards should always be carried out. We suggest using the services of a qualified mountain-guide or ski/snowboard instructor.

Click here to view forecast archive.