Off-Piste snow report for December 13, 2019 for the Northern French alps – Henry’s Avalanche Talk

Photo: Credit- Ortovox. Henry's Avalanche Talk. Off-Piste snow report for December 13, 2019 for the Northern French alps.

Off-Piste snow report for December 13, 2019 for the Northern French alps – Henry’s Avalanche Talk

Lots of snow falling now, but warmer temperatures for the week ahead
Big snow has started falling. This will set us up for the season, but it will bring high avalanche danger too.

It has been a great week for off-piste skiing, with regular top-ups of 10 to 20 cm fresh snow virtually every other day. Weather alternated between flat light conditions and snowfall one day and clear blue skies with fantastic powder the next.

A skier triggers a slide. Photo. Henry's Avalanche Talk. Off-Piste snow report for December 13, 2019 for the Northern French alps.
A skier triggers a slide. Photo. Henry’s Avalanche Talk. Off-Piste snow report for December 13, 2019 for the Northern French alps.

On Tuesday there was a blue-sky powder day and there were a few avalanches triggered by skiers. This is evidence that the greatest risks are wind slab on leeward slopes.

Current situation in the Northern French Alps:

At the time of writing (13th Dec) the avalanche risk is 4/5 (High). Over the week covered in this extended forecast, however, the danger rating will stay high or at least considerable (3/5). A huge amount of snowfall is expected in the N French Alps and surrounding area. Will we get a 5/5? That would be unusual.

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Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man

From KTVA

Next week, hundreds of snowmobiles will descend upon the Hoodoo Mountains north of Paxson for the annual Arctic Man event, and avalanche forecasters want them to know that conditions are especially unpredictable this spring.

“The mountains are shedding.” warned Debra McGhan of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center. “It might be stable in the morning, but by afternoon things are letting go.”

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man
Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man

On Saturday, two brothers were buried in an avalanche while riding not far from where Arctic Man takes place. No one was hurt, but it was a reminder of the dangers.

It’s a transitional year for Arctic Man, which will not be hosting its classic ski races this year. The unusual race has been held nearly every year since 1986, but interest has slowed. After 33 years, the popular Arctic Man Race of teams of two – a skier and a snowmobile, is ending.  The race had the skier in each team, going down the mountain, being towed by the snowmobile uphill again and then skiing back down for a second time.

Continue reading “Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man”