Tough going in difficult snow conditions

[elperronegro]

The bad weather last week has left the ski pistes in excellent condition. Away from the pistes, those of you who enjoy mountaineering or ski touring/ski mountaineering will have a tougher time of it.

There is very deep unconsolidated snow. Skis or snowshoes are essential above 1900m, where there is at least 30cm powder overlying old ice in places. Difficult for ski descents where a combination of breakable crust, hard ice, powder, slush, and windblown sastrugi ridges impair progress, all within a few metres!

Needs 3 or 4 days at least for consolidation to have a marked effect.