Haute Tarentaise – Savoie – risk is high, level 4

Read the original avalanche bulletin here

Avalanche Bulletin Savoie March 8th

Avalanche Bulletin Savoie March 8th : Source Meteo France

The snow pack will start to settle but we have a thick layer of recent snow (up to 100 cm) which is very unstable. This is why we should expect natural releases and even more so with the warming or even a little rain in the afternoon (possible slope releases onto the mountain roads under 1600/2000 m ). “One or two” big avalanches are always possible on steep slopes (recent snow or patches).  So if you see a release the rest of the slope could still go.

The risk of triggering a slab avalanche (sometimes very thick) by just one or more skiers is very high on many (all) orientations and especially above 2200/2500 m, as in the vicinity of Italy, Presence of windblown snow is sitting on an unstable base. Moreover, the northerly wind has caused the formation of some new slabs mainly rather near the ridges (2500/3000 m).

A great mistrust is required. Be careful.

The snow conditions

Snow depths March 8th

Snow depths March 8th

The snow is excellent and you can reach the villages on skis (100 cm reached as low as 1600 m).
A thick layer of recent snow is present everywhere, becoming more humid at 1600/2000 m. Some areas near the ridges remain worked by the wind (hard snow, cardboard).