Snow for the Euros.

**butToFly** · 10-21-2014, 07:20 AM

Not looking for much, hence why I want to find a nice grassy surface underneath :-)

Guess that type of early shenanigans isn't so popular over here.

**Ripzalot** · 10-21-2014, 07:49 AM

it used to be then i broke my wrist dicking around in the early season.

patience, young grasshopper.

**subtle plague** · 10-21-2014, 07:54 AM

the first powder alarm over at powderguide.com will be online this evening.
so if any of you speak german and want to head out, check the site tonite

summary --> east of the arlberg. Thursday there might be 40-60cm on the grass, despite the warmth. Friday it's all said and done and the warm air creeps back in. so fri/sat a crevasse search/powder skiing event on a glacier of your choice could be the thing to do for the impatient.

**butToFly** · 10-21-2014, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Ripzalot

it used to be then i broke my wrist dicking around in the early season.

patience, young grasshopper.

But I want some of this (october turns in VT a few years ago)

**philth** · 10-21-2014, 11:48 AM

Just saw that they linked Grimentz and Zinal with a new tram. Interesting. Love that place. Spent a few weeks there a couple of years ago. Wonder how the locals are taking it…

**gmart** · 10-21-2014, 12:39 PM

the itch is real

**butToFly** · 10-22-2014, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by philth

Just saw that they linked Grimentz and Zinal with a new tram. Interesting. Love that place. Spent a few weeks there a couple of years ago. Wonder how the locals are taking it…

Tram was new last winter. Spent a few days there late season. To me it was pretty nice being able to stay in Grimentz and go up both sides.

**justr** · 10-22-2014, 02:46 AM

I think hintertux in Tyrol is the spot for this one. But the usual early season crevasse warning up on the glacier and no base insta-obstacle-explosion below applies. Maybe 20-40cm at the bottom.

**yugi** · 10-22-2014, 02:47 AM

ButtFly,
Aim not for Alps Vaudoises but up at col St Bernard. Max dumpage there. But beware - big winds too and we know what that does. It's a crazy windy spot there - especially in this wind.

Col road is likely closed for winter with this dump. You can call the Chanoines up at the Hospice and ask how much they got. Do ask their advice if it's safe. Aside the obvious avy danger, and I'm sure you've noticed the Alps don't really have VT style grass slopes. Much younger mtn range, much rockier.

PS it's all white at home this morning BTW, thin but all covered

**philth** · 10-22-2014, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by butToFly

Tram was new last winter. Spent a few days there late season. To me it was pretty nice being able to stay in Grimentz and go up both sides.

Yes I agree. Put it on my return visit list. Stumbled on Grimentz/Zinal by accident and loved it.

**butToFly** · 10-22-2014, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by yugi

ButtFly,
Aim not for Alps Vaudoises but up at col St Bernard. Max dumpage there. But beware - big winds too and we know what that does. It's a crazy windy spot there - especially in this wind.

Really?? You have some specific beta on that? Not so familiar with that area and not seeing much on the slf maps.

Originally Posted by yugi

I'm sure you've noticed the Alps don't really have VT style grass slopes. Much younger mtn range, much rockier.

Definitely some very rocky slopes around, but feel I've seen a decent amount of grassy meadows too.

Originally Posted by yugi

PS it's all white at home this morning BTW, thin but all covered

Basically what I've been seeing on the various webcams I have checked out.

**Basecamp.Andermatt** · 10-22-2014, 10:54 AM

Hi

The north and eastern alpine main ridge got an early dump last night between 21. - 22. of october.

It snowed well below 1000 meters and accumulated in some places over a meter of fresh. Its really early in the saison, but propably the northfacing slopes above 2200-2500 will keep this layer as base.

The saison 2014/2015 is on!

:-)

Here are 2 pictures of our village Andermatt. There are about 24 hours between the fotos:-))

Welcome to the #freerider's #lodge and #hostel in #andermatt, #swiss #Alps

www.basecamp-andermatt.com

**yugi** · 10-22-2014, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by butToFly

Really?? You have some specific beta on that? Not so familiar with that area and not seeing much on the slf maps...

watch the precipitation radars. It hammered StB.

**subtle plague** · 10-22-2014, 12:31 PM

klar? freak? are you heading out tomorrow? anyone in the arlberg area.. i might want some powdertouring before it turns to glop again..
the meter seems to be possible. I forgot how glorious nordstau can be

**Alkares** · 10-22-2014, 03:30 PM

Hmmmm, how does this start compare to seasons 2000-2010? I've only been around for the last 4, and it seems a bit early, from what I've seen anyways.... This dump could be january's depth hoar....

**subtle plague** · 10-22-2014, 09:43 PM

depends on the snow level. depth hoar or warm sliping of the whole snowpack.. see 11/12 and 12/13

**ClarkleberryFinn** · 10-23-2014, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by subtle plague

klar? freak? are you heading out tomorrow? anyone in the arlberg area.. i might want some powdertouring before it turns to glop again..
the meter seems to be possible. I forgot how glorious nordstau can be

Planning to be at Stuben early doors tomorrow (Friday); give me a shout if you're still looking for partners.

**subtle plague** · 10-23-2014, 11:00 AM

sorry I'll have to work tomorrow no classes missing (Today my school finished at 10am because some of my classes were gone) on Friday, today was pretty good though

I'll post pictures later. I even got some lift served stuff, at a place which may or may not exist

250m up 1800m down on smooth velvet (no pow ...). not bad for october, but I was pretty low so further up might still be some pow.

**ClarkleberryFinn** · 10-23-2014, 11:10 AM

Nice. Whereabouts (roughly) were you?

**Basecamp.Andermatt** · 10-23-2014, 12:01 PM

Hi guys

The first snowfall seemed to hit more the Austrian Alps than us. In Andermatt we got in the village about 30 cm but it has a lot more higher up. No lifts run here yet, but the MBG train runs up from the Andermatt Trainstation every :27 past the hour and goes up to the Oberalp pass at 2100 meters. From there its possible to do some skinning up as high as 2700-2800m. Even just skin up the skislopes of the system might be good.

This weekend we go up and check out the conditions, pictures later :-)

Lars

**Buster Highmen** · 10-23-2014, 12:12 PM

Ask that slacker Loutrel to answer his email.

Originally Posted by subtle plague

I even got some lift served stuff, at a place which may or may not exist

250m up 1800m down on smooth velvet (no pow ...). not bad for october, but I was pretty low so further up might still be some pow.

Nicht dick winken

**Basecamp.Andermatt** · 10-24-2014, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Ask that slacker Loutrel to answer his email.

Nicht dick winken

You mean the birdmann from andermatt? :-)

This morning was -6 degrees celsius in the bottom of the valley and the first snow is still here:-))

**ClarkleberryFinn** · 10-24-2014, 08:15 AM

Schindler couloirs in St Anton skied pretty damn nicely today!!

**subtle plague** · 10-24-2014, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Nicht dick winken

sorry. sometimes I'm not very subtle.

but coldwaters snow looks better than what i had.

**Rusty Nails** · 10-25-2014, 03:35 PM

Very well played, Coldwater.

Cannot wait to return to Andermatt this year. Lars, definitely post any pics you got. I'll be heading that way a couple times from Stuttgart. Buster, you gonna come across the pond this winter? Lemme know!