Is PowderAlert #6 coming?

Am I seeing the first indications for PowderAlert #6? Is PowderAlert #6 coming? Well, it will come eventually.So the question is not if it will come, but when and where it will come.The first indications are there. It’s way too early to mark this forecast as a PowderAlert, but hey, it’s always good to be positive these days! So please keep in mind that this forecast is an indication. And besides that, one PowderAlert doesn’t mean that winter will be back. Ying-Yang also works for the Alps where nature is trying to keep a balance all the time. Stau in one vally, Föhn in the other one. But, enough philosophical talk. Let’s get to the facts.

What are we talking about?

The map above is showing the first indications. According to the last measurements the jetstream will move to south in the middle of next week. This allows cold(er) and more humid air to go south. The result could be a south/southwest depression and that normally means a lot of snow in the southern Alps. Especially resorts like Serre Chevalier and Puy St. Vincent are dying for snow. The resorts in the French southern Alps have to deal with the driest autumn since 10 years and the opening of the Serre Chevalier has been postponed for a week. The snow cannons need more time to cover the slopes with man-made snow. Snow from the southwest would be more than welcome. The funny thing is that the conditions just across the border in the Italian Piemonte are quite good.

But it’s too early for details. But there’s light at the end of a snowless tunnel. The next couple of days it will be clear when and where it will happen. In the meantime, join the conversation on our forum. When do you think that PowderAlert #6 will start?

I’ve got three tips to ride powder for you until the next PowderAlert. You’ll find the most pow in the resorts that were closed or that got some freshies. A third option is riding with a ski- or mountainguide. The following regions had some freshies the last couple of days: Vorarlberg/Kleinwalsertal, the Salzburgerland, the north of Steiermark and the south of Oberösterreich. They got around 20-50 centimeters. Unfortunately, the wind kicked in as well and the snow has been blown away from the ridges in the east. The wind wass less strong in the west. You’ll find powder in bowls that were covered from the wins and the lower parts of the mountain. Avoid the slopes with a southern exposure, they’ll turn green due to the temperature rise the next couple of days. The other slopes will remain good.

The resorts that didn’t open their lifts yet can be found in the western and southern Piemonte. They had some freshies last week and the forests are full with snow and you might find some powder there. A good mountain- or ski guide is the key to finding good snow. They know how to guide you through the snowfields safely. And maybe they’ll lead you to there secret stashes, so you’ll return home with a big smile on your face.

Stay stoked

Morris