Posted on: 2025-10-29 07:23:27 by davidof

Special avalanche bulletin 29 October 2025

Information Bulletin – Avalanche Conditions in Savoie

For Wednesday, October 29

Given the early-season snow conditions and our inability to publish the official avalanche bulletins (BeRA) before November 3rd, and following our small “soft slab” field session last Sunday, we are providing this informational update on avalanche conditions in Savoie for tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29.

We currently have limited data, but a few trip reports have already been shared on social media. In addition, the BSM team has completed three personal outings so far, meaning all members of the center have already set foot on snow at least once this season.

Snow Coverage

It has snowed significantly in recent days. The Beaufortain, Haute Tarentaise, and northeastern Vanoise regions are the best covered, with skiable snow starting around 1900–2000 m, and locally lower (1600–1800 m) in Beaufortain and Haute Tarentaise.
Further south (Haute Maurienne and Maurienne), the snow line is a bit higher, and you’ll need to target wind-loaded slopes for good conditions.

For Wednesday

Snow Quality

• Cold powder on north-facing slopes above 2300–2400 m, fairly dense at higher altitude.
• Wind crusts possible near ridgelines.
• Elsewhere, a variable crust layer is present, more or less supportive depending on altitude and exposure, and will tend to soften during the morning.

Avalanche danger is roughly equivalent to level 2 (Moderate) across snow-covered zones, but locally higher in specific areas (see below).

Avalanche Observations

Wind effect:

The recent snowfalls were wind-affected, and with the wind still blowing at high altitude on Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday—ending with a strong foehn event late in the day—numerous wind slabs have formed and continue to form.

These slabs are mainly found on leeward slopes and slope breaks, with southwest to west prevailing winds:

• Most slabs rest on temporary weak layers; recent ones remain easily triggered, especially below 2700–2800 m, where they are softer and thinner.
• Above that altitude, slabs tend to be harder and thicker.
• Avalanche size: mostly 1 to 2, rarely 3.
• Where Tuesday’s warm spell has moistened the snowpack, slabs have generally stabilized.

Only on glaciers and at very high altitude (above 3300 m, north-facing slopes) does the old September snow layer seem to have lost cohesion, forming a persistent weak layer.
At these elevations, 1.5 to 2 meters of snow (or more in drifted areas) have accumulated. This persistent layer is now deeply buried, making slab release unlikely. However, if it does occur, large avalanches (size 3 to 4) are possible depending on topography.

Warm spell effects:

During Tuesday’s warm-up, south-facing slopes became moist and self-purged; some wet-snow avalanches releasing to the ground were observed in sunny areas.
This activity should be less pronounced tomorrow in those sectors.
Conversely, north-facing slopes have remained cold. With clouds returning and the freezing level around 3000 m on Wednesday, moisture will gradually affect north slopes, and a few wet-snow avalanches (size 1–2) may occur.

Summary

• Main danger: wind slabs above 2000 m, especially near ridges and slope breaks, oriented northeast to east.
• Secondary danger: wet-snow activity on north slopes during the day as temperatures rise.
• Overall risk: generally moderate (2/5), but locally marked in the most wind-affected areas.

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