 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The snow report is only one aspect of deciding where to go. People will have all sorts of criteria: budgetry, method of travel, time they can go what sort of accommodation/vibe they want, skiing convenience, etc. etc. Most people can't chase the best conditions.
Things can change pretty quick. What the snow report says today is largely irrevelant to what it will be in a few weeks time.
The base doesn't matter so much if most of the skiing is higher. You might only ski back to base at the end of the day or download. What matters is how much of the skiing is at a good altitude.
Whether you are skiing piste only or are wanting to ski a lot of off piste will make a difference. If wholly or mostly piste skiing any reference to powder is irrelevant - you are just interested in how much is open and that there aren't a lood of stones, grass and mud showing through.
Time of the season mnatter. Any depth under 50cm is pretty worrying but if early season might be understandable - later in the season it's a worry.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Yes I'm only asking in terms of snow conditions. Not off piste, as outlined I am a beginner.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@marty55, I sympathise with your frustration at those summary reports. There never seems to be clarity about:
- what height is used for "summit" and "base", it is not unusual to have the odd lift going higher than most other top lifts, and the odd bottom run that everyone knows can only ever be open for part of the season. You want to know about the majority skiing terrain.
- is the quoted thickness that of packed (pisted) snow, or the depth before pisting?
- how the thickness relates to the terrain. 30 cm packed snow on grass pasture land would be good skiing, on rocky terrain would be hazardous.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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In my 25+ years of skiing I've never paid much attention to the snow depth reports.
On piste conditions will vary on the day and day to day.
I think machine made/groomed just means it's been pisted but I don't know for sure.
Basically the onthesnow reports don't do much for me.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The deeper the snowdepth, the better the skiing.
For example, somewhere with 300cm at 3000m will ride better than 30cm at 1500m.
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Little values are clearly under reported and in any case there are undoubtedly on meadow so you don't need a lot. Deep values are clearly accurate.
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My interpretation is as follows
Powder - soft fluffy stuff but it will not be like that when you get there
Packed powder - powder that has been skied on and compressed a bit
Firm - skis dig in a couple cm on turns
Hard packed - even firmer, possible the nicest snow to ski on
Scraped - all the soft snow has been removed and the slopes are very firm and smooth - need sharp edges
Icy - snow has melted and re frozen to give rock hard pistes - usulally has blue sections in it - prefered by racers cos they can go fast
Sugary - feels like skiing in caster sugar
Spring - rock hard in the morning softening to give beautiful skiing when the top couple cm give then it's rock hard underneath - progressing to porridge.
Porridge - the name says it all
Slush - porridge with puddles in it - time to rent a snowboard.
Manmade - the stuff that comes out of snowmaking machines - see Sugary
The depth gives the maximum depth under summit, and provided the base figure is above 30cm whether you can ski back to the resort.
Forecast is meaningless. It is just there to sell advertising that brings revenue to the site.
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FAQ
