 Poster: A snowHead
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How is the base and general conditions now across the area? Looking at booking a few days early March. Seems there is quite a bit of snow to come this week!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just back from a weekend in St Anton. Trains all worked perfectly which has not always been the case recently. It started lightly snowing on Saturday morning and didnt stop until early evening, not huge amounts I guess 10 cm ish mid mountain. Given this there was low cloud with the usual stationary clag on Galzig but perfectly OK on Gampen. Zürs looked equally gloomy in the webcams, didnt bother making the effort to go over. After a few runs back down to the village it became clear things were much brighter at Rendl, as it so often is. Went over to be met with hazy sunshine, lightly snowing, very few people and wonderful piste snow. It would have flattered anyone's technique. After lunch the cloud came in more generally so packed a bit early and went for "Kaffee und Küchen" in what used to be Giggls under the Hotel Post (seems a good thing, they still sell beer!). This morning it started snowing again at just after 07:00 though it looked as if some had fallen overnight. By around 10:00 the clouds started breaking up and the snow stopped (at least in Tirol the Vorarlberg bits were still gloomy) and clear that it was a powder day, not hugely deep but dry fluffy snow. Folk heading off in all directions in a typical Arlberg powder frenzy, the guides clearly happy they had places to take clients. Most of the snow must have fallen after the pistes had been groomed as they quickly turned into piles of powdery snow not much difference between piste & side piste or ski routes. Kapall was great fun. Tried Rendl again but strangely the snow whilst nice was not as good as the day before. After lunch the clouds lifted and headed up to Schindler which was great but a bit busy, including a couple of muppets trying to perfect their straight line snowplough technique, they should stick to Happy Valley! There was someone being choppered off the Steilhang around 14:30 hopefully nothing too serious, impressive flying pretty close to a cliff.
A couple of minor changes, the exit from Schindler has been changed, the old lower section with the slightly awkward camber has been replaced by effectively a piste which follows the upper part of what was (still is?) the Untere Schweinströge ski route. There is now a marked ski route (not shown on any map) on Bachseite starting under the upper part of the Tanzboden chair and heading directly down to Steissbachtal, will see if this is a permanent addition.
So generally much improved conditions with a week of snowy days to come, perhaps not ideal for the Fasching week crowds, though should mean decent conditions until the end of the season.
Not really the weather for snaps so only a couple
Powdery snow on Kapall
A largely skied out Schindler in the afternoon sun
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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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Arrived 14th and there was some fresh snow on the piste. In fact it was really pleasant. However I was shocked at how little snow there was in The Arlberg area in general. I have been coming here for 25 years and have never seen it so sparse. It has snowed from 10pm last night and still snowing at 6 am in the village. I would say 30cm in the village (but hard to gauge from my balcony) Forecast is for it to snow all day so we will see what pans out.
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@mcg, Conditions this year are a good deal better than two years ago? Yes there has been a bit of a drought since late November but in general there has been decent piste skiing, no doubt outside of that it has been fairly sparse. Though looking back at the images I posted above from mid January there is pretty decent snow cover. Arriving on the train there was more snow in the upper Inntal and Stanzertal than has sometimes been the case in recent years.
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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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Were snow conditions in Feb/Mar 2024 in Austria generally poor by comparison with the norm? I went to Mayrhofen in March that year and there was definitely decent snow cover, although of course more would have been appreciated. I just don't know how typical or atypical that was.
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@J2R, Depends what the "norm" is, from what I recall that season was a bit less than some of the other recent years. Of course we have seen significantly less snow than was common say 20 years ago.
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I was meaning the norm of the last maybe 10 years or so.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@J2R, There is a tendency for the memory of all the various seasons to roll into one, more getting old nonsense! So maybe I am misremembering but I thought 23 /24 was a bit low for snow might have been the year before though!
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I was in Mayrhofen March 2023 and March 2024, and the snow was definitely a little better in March 2023, although perfectly serviceable the following year too.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Yes, there is a decent amount of snow coming. But down is not the direction of travel!  Level 4 again tomorrow.
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Still coming down here in Lech. I don't think it has stopped since last evening. Forecast is snow all day.
Yesterday my confidence took a beating which I hope can be fixed by a lesson this afternoon. 
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You know it makes sense.
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Still coming down in St anton, not much open yet at the moment and probably unlikely for much to open all day. This is a pretty heavy dump.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Scarlet, posted this link elsewhere https://avalanche.report/blog/at-07-en/13525 it is (in English) an analysis of the current avalanche conditions in the Tirol (basically wait until the snowpack has settled) and also details of two recent incidents one with fatalities near the Stubai glacier and the one below Gampberg on Rendl (fortunately the individual was dug out alive but seriously injured). You can clearly see where the slide started - where the boarder landed after jumping from a rock which then triggered a much bigger slide.
As @stanton, says stay out of Schöngraben (the route that starts at the bottom of the Kapall t bar down to Nasserein), its a death trap, there were multiple tracks leading into it on Sunday morning plus various parties on their way in. There was only 10cm of fresh snow then now there must be the best part of 50cm. A local guide and their client were killed in there not so long ago.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I would have thought most people who visit the Arlberg are not your typical Brexiteers - maybe wrong though! That said we came through Zurich Airport 10 days ago and it took around 5 minutes to register our fingerprints and photo (EES system) and pass through passport control.
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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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Skied St Anton this morning. Stufe 4 Avalanche warning kept me largely on piste tho‘ did a couple of open routes.
(Sud Hang & Ost Hang). The Schindler lift wasn‘t running. Flat light, quite windy & also misty but plenty of new snow.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Bergsteiger278, Normally after a weekend in the Arlberg there are a few wistful looks at the webcams, thinking could I have wrangled and extra day or two. Today happy to be sitting in the warm & dry, not peering through the murk!
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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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Yep - if I didn‘t live only 30mins away, I wouldn‘t have bothered today..
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@munich_irish, You mention the marked ski route down the Bachseite to the Steissbachtel. I also referred to it in one of my posts last week as I had skied down it before heading down to Galzig. I only checked the map after seeing your post today & you are correct, it isn‘t shown on the current Arlberg pisteplan. Whatever its status - ski route or „Gelände“ - the Bachseite always sees plenty of traffic, so it was pretty straightforward.
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@munich_irish, @Bergsteiger278, Bachseite never has been an official route. At least not the last 30 years.
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@Langenzug That is true - I certainly can‘t remember ever previously seeing ski route markers on the Bachseite: however, as munich_irish remarks, there is certainly a marked ski route down there at the moment. (Tho‘ it is not referenced on the piste plan).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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lots of guides taking powder heads into mianwaissen mainsee, bottom of matun and obviously bachseitte and further afield form talking to guides on the mountain. this is a really heavy dump now. I really hope this pays out ok for everyone. Again pains me to say it but st anton is not wrong.
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Yep guys, I've never known Bachseite as a ski route, more design your own way down to Steissbachtal, sometimes through the shrubbery!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Langerzug, Indeed, hence why I commented on it, there is currently a marked ski route from just below the top station of the Tanzboden chair straight line pretty much down to Steissbachtal. Plenty of Bachseite still "off piste" but you can follow the marker poles if you wish. Currently a bit pointless though. No idea if this will become a permenant thing.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Posted by @Chris_n, in the avalanche thread
| Quote: |
Freerider (18 ) dies after fall in powder snow
Tyrol
February 17, 2026, 5:58 PM
A tragic freeride accident occurred Tuesday morning in Tyrol: An 18-year-old Austrian fell in an off-piste area, became stuck headfirst in deep snow, and was unable to free himself. Despite a rapid rescue operation and a helicopter airlift, it was too late to save the young winter sports enthusiast.
Around 11:45 a.m., the 18-year-old was skiing off-piste with two friends in the "Maienplatt" off-piste area of the St. Anton am Arlberg ski resort, enjoying the fresh powder snow. According to initial reports, all three were equipped with full avalanche safety equipment, including avalanche transceivers.
The 18-year-old was the last to ski down the mountain. According to initial findings, he likely fell headfirst in a gully. He became stuck in the deep, loose snow – a situation from which the young athlete could not free himself.
His friend, who was riding ahead, hadn't initially noticed the fall. Only after several hundred meters did he stop to wait for the person behind him. But the 18-year-old didn't appear. He also couldn't be reached by phone. The friend immediately grabbed his avalanche transceiver to search for a possible buried victim.
A ski guide who happened to be passing by noticed the dramatic situation. Together, they shouted loudly to attract the attention of another ski guide, a 27-year-old Austrian, who was located a little further up the slope. He was then able to locate the injured skier.
He dug out the 18-year-old with his bare hands
. He immediately began digging the young man, who was stuck in the snow, with his bare hands. Meanwhile, his companion called emergency services, and another ski guide rushed to the scene. Together, they finally managed to free the 18-year-old.
Despite extremely adverse conditions, the crew of the emergency helicopter "Gallus 3" carried out a risky rescue using a rope. The seriously injured winter sports enthusiast was then taken by ambulance to the hospital in Zams. There, doctors fought to save his life – but all help came too late. The 18-year-old died shortly afterwards in the hospital. |
Very sad
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@Drifter210 Sorry I‘m late coming to your question about connections between Klösterle & St Anton. (I was teaching elsewhere & then skiing in Montafon so had no update on the Arlberg to contribute ). As munich_irish & others point out, in Austrian terms the connections between Klösterle & St A aren‘t great. However, apart from the train, there are plenty of bus connections averaging ca 60 mins. The key is downloading the free VVV App. It covers ALL transport connections in the Vorarlberg & Tirol (& beyond to the neighbouring parts of Switzerland & Germany). It is updated in real time & is accurate & easy to use - unlike Moovit in the UK. I‘m pretty sure it‘s available in English as well as German (which I use). The VVV app will give you details of all the connections you need to plan the feasibility of travelling between St Anton & Klösterle. Just don‘t forget to select as your destination St Anton am Arlberg, NOT St Anton im Montafon! (Otherwise an easy mistake to make).
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You know it makes sense.
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@ munich_irish, memories of the 1922 Volksabstimmung in Vorarlberg die hard to this day, not least because ca 70% voted to join Switzerland rather than Austria, but were thwarted for various reasons (the Swiss were concerned with upsetting the balance between Protestant & Catholic cantons + Vorarlberg was „bitterarm“ & would have been a burden on the Swiss economy + the Allies wanted a stronger Österreich to offset the attraction of a Gross Deutschland…usw.) As recently as the Corona Virus crisis, the Landtag here deliberately adopted (more relaxed) measures on the Swiss model rather following Vienna. That had the side effect of keeping the lifts open in Montafon - as our local Burgermeister commented - ‚Wien liegt ziemlich weit entfernt.‘ The resultant law case brought by the Vienna Regierung against the Landtag went into the sand and never re-emerged. Not least, the prevailing Dialekte here (much more important than Hoch Deutsch for the everyday) are still largely mutually understandable with the Schweizerdeutsch spoken in St Gallen & Graubunden.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Bergsteiger278, thanks for the info! We have managed to secure accommodation in Klosterle after all so that app you mentioned will come in handy. Some really nice accommodation options there and way more reasonably priced compared to St Anton/lech. I’m actually quite happy about staying there as we can then check out Sonnenkopf one morning. Been reading up my WePowder alps guide and sounds like some fun spots!
We travel out 28/02 to Salzburg, which yes, is not the most optimal transfer (circa 3hrs by train to Langen plus bus/taxi at either end). After initially planning to spend our time East in Ski Amade we thought we might have chance of better conditions in the West…turns out conditions are likely much improved all over Austria now.
Hopefully the snow pack settles for that week, forecast looks like more heavy snow later this week but more settled in to next?
We were looking at hiring a freeride guide for a day, but given all the stories so far and avy risk think I might hold off for now!
Did I read somewhere that it is technically possible to ski off piste, directly back to Klosterle if certain conditions allow?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| munich_irish wrote: |
| @Langerzug, Indeed, hence why I commented on it, there is currently a marked ski route from just below the top station of the Tanzboden chair straight line pretty much down to Steissbachtal. Plenty of Bachseite still "off piste" but you can follow the marker poles if you wish. Currently a bit pointless though. No idea if this will become a permenant thing. |
Maybe related to the (former) thin snowbase? Providing a safe -stonefree- passage? Or to protect the shrubs?
Or is it something new to promote people to not go via Kandahar?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Winter comeback: There is 1.5 metres of snow again on the Arlberg
https://kurier.at/chronik/oesterreich/schneemassen-im-osten-oesterreichs-am-arlberg-liegen-wieder-15-meter/403132378
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________-
Weather
Another Dump rolling in Thursday
Weekend looking interesting could go either way
The only thing that is certain is that the weather will remain very changeable at the weekend with strong northwesterly winds. In addition, there will be much milder air. The snow line will rise around 2000m by Sunday.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Drifter210 wrote: |
Did I read somewhere that it is technically possible to ski off piste, directly back to Klosterle if certain conditions allow? |
Before I left for my Beach Holiday this was not possible... You could only descend with the Gondola
It maybe ok now with this dump (rock skis) but personally i would not as there is no base at all under this recent Dump..You can ski down through the Trees to the Valley but a lot of the terrain it is marked Forest preservation area..so dont go there as it could cost you €3000 fine !!
There is also a very nice off piste decent to Langham but right now that will be to dangerous ..
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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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@drifter210 Good to hear -make full use of the App. I was skiing in Klöstertal myself today - the local ski area is called Sonnenkopf & is covered by the Arlberg pass, shown on the Pisteplan, but often overlooked as it is not connected with the main area. There are off piste possibilities to ski back from Zug to Langen near Klösterle. I have no idea how good your skiing is, nor how experienced an off piste skier you are, but these are serious undertakings & you will need a guide. It is true that I have skied that way myself a few times, but always with experienced locals who know the area. (There are NO marked ski routes from Zug to Langen). To reinforce the message, someone was killed by an avalanche skiing off piste nearby in Sonnenkopf today. (I myself had actually brought all my avalanche gear and seriously considered skiing down there my self but after a few minutes deliberation, had an uneasy „Bauchgefühl“, & cut off to a forest track which links to the closed home run instead as it is protected by trees. In retrospect this was a sane decision given the Stufe 4 warning & fatality at about the same time.)
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See above message for my report on Sonnenkopf today. In short, great powder serious Avalanche risk (Stufe 4) & an off piste fatality. Those who read my report above will understand my feeling of „there but for the Grace of God“ as I aborted my plans having started down in much the same time and area as the unlucky skier. It just didn‘t feel right to me & fortunately as I know the area well, I was able to head off to the safety of the tree protected (closed) home run.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@stanton, if I remember correctly you spent most of that period scaremongering and then refusing to get vaccinated. I doubt anyone would have taken much notice of more scare stories even if on that occasion they had some connection to reality. Seems extremely unlikely that you had any inside knowledge of the Chancellery in Vienna.
Sensible folk bought a season pass on the early season deal it pays for itself after about 8 days.
PS despite the continuing heavy snow most of the area is now open though looks pretty miserable with practically zero visibility
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Harrowing experience, major emergency at the bottom of rendl 1. Praying for all involved
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What's happened?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I skied past on rendl1 not long after it happened as they closed rendl early and didn’t know why but now I do. They’re still digging 2 hours later. I was going up rendl lift without knowing it had just happened and commented that an avalanche had occurred and could see a big crack still within the tree line where it started. Must have travelled a long way to the bottom of the run where the trees stop so quite possible people caught up in it had nothing to do with it and just slightly off piste near the bottom of the run
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| boabski wrote: |
| What's happened? |
Big avalanche on rendl coming out at bottom just where piste turns hard left
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