Spring avalanche risk

I have V. little understanding of avalanche risk whatsoever. I ski verbier. We've had plenty of fresh snow. I hear terms like poorly bonded etc. Can anyone tell me in general terms what the avalanche risk is on itinery runs. i.e. chassoure, gentianes and valon d'arby, particularly in spring. I don't have any avalanche equipment and avoid vallon d'arby because I've heard it's unsafe. I know the risk varies from day to day but does anyone know specifically know about these runs?

karen.488 wrote:I have V. little understanding of avalanche risk whatsoever. I ski verbier. We've had plenty of fresh snow. I hear terms like poorly bonded etc. Can anyone tell me in general terms what the avalanche risk is on itinery runs. i.e. chassoure, gentianes and valon d'arby, particularly in spring. I don't have any avalanche equipment and avoid vallon d'arby because I've heard it's unsafe. I know the risk varies from day to day but does anyone know specifically know about these runs?

no one can tell what avalanche risk for some future day.

However, for an itinerary, these are marked and patrolled runs, they're just not prepared. If they're open they're as safe as any other piste.

Adding to Ise's comment, in many resorts, at the base areas, you should look for an "avalanch Warning", "Lavinagefahr" board. This goes up to level 5. Two weeks ago it was at level 4 in the Wildschoenau, both in Niederau, and in Auffach.

This was sufficient for me to warn fellow skiers, who were not aware, and also to take a different route to the far side of the mountain. Oddly, in Niederau, the second biggest avalanche risk is above a crossover path. The first biggest is in view, but away from the ski area.

I don't have a clue where the risks are in Auffach.

I have been on ski patrol when an avalanche was triggered above the crossover path, and I am 100% sure that there would have been no survivors had they been inn the direct line.

One issue that I will be taking up with the tourist board and lift company this year is that while the warning lights were clear, the explanations were all in German. That is not good enough, because both levels 4 and 5 are risky, but they represent different conditions, and I think this should be explained.

karen.488 wrote:I have V. little understanding of avalanche risk whatsoever. I ski verbier. We've had plenty of fresh snow. I hear terms like poorly bonded etc. Can anyone tell me in general terms what the avalanche risk is on itinery runs. i.e. chassoure, gentianes and valon d'arby, particularly in spring. I don't have any avalanche equipment and avoid vallon d'arby because I've heard it's unsafe. I know the risk varies from day to day but does anyone know specifically know about these runs?

As already said avalanche risk is dependant on conditions so the season is not really a factor. I suppose you could say that on average its warmer in April than in January, but if you are out on the day in April when its -18 and windy then averages wont keep you warm

Its many years since I spent much time in Verbier but I tend to think of Vallon d'Arby as being 'different' from gentianes and chassoure. Col de Chassoure to Tortin, whilst an itinerary, usually has the appearance of a piste. When open, it is always busy and the snow is quickly compacted. Most of the exposure to avalanche is on the top section, either from the slope you are on or from the few couloirs above on Mont Gele.

Vallon d'Arby on the other hand is much more remote. Once into the valley you will be on or under a lee slope at sometime (regardless of where the wind has been coming from) and you can be exposed until you get to Tzoumaz

Its a fairly steep sided valley which has claimed the lives of many over the years, quite a few tourers have been caught on the valley floor while skinning up.

Surely you can find some people to go out with in Verbier who can tell you a bit about snow conditions etc?

There are many books available and courses to go on.

Some good info here: http://www.henrysavalanchetalk.com/

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