The winter of 2024/2025 is still a long time coming. Looking ahead to Sunday, however, there is hope in sight in Tyrol. There should be plenty of fresh snow on the mountains, especially on the northern slopes.
While a year ago hordes of ski tourers were drawn to the mountains, this year they had to make do with dry training or one or two snow-covered ski slopes. Because even in the higher areas there is not enough snow for touring.
The cracks are still open
“Ski tours in Tyrol are currently almost only possible on the slopes and in the glacier ski areas,” says Sellrain tour and avalanche expert Lukas Ruetz. At the same time, he warns the overconfident not to leave the secured slopes on the glacier: “The crevasses are still open, the risk of falling into the crevasses is too great.”
In this respect, little will change initially. “The week will remain cloudy and wet with sunny spells, and even at high altitudes there will not be much snow before the weekend,” regrets meteorologist Bence Szabados of the UBIMET weather service.
So far no sign of a real winter
Here and there Tyrol looked sugary on Tuesday, but in the valleys there was not much more than ten centimeters of the white splendor like in St. Sigmund im Sellrain. The increase in new snow in the mountains was also modest: no sign of real winter.
Thursday without any precipitation
Things will likely continue in the same vein for the next few days; according to Bence Szabados, no precipitation should fall on Thursday. Several centimeters of fresh snow may fall in the mountains on Friday.
The meteorologist is of course hoping for snow for the weekend – even as far as the Inntal in Innsbruck. “The snow line will drop to low altitudes on Sunday night and it will become wintery,” the expert predicts. However, the exact quantities cannot yet be predicted. Preference is given to northern reservoirs – from the Ausserfern via the Karwendel to the Achensee. “Above 1,500 meters there are between 20 and 30 centimeters,” says Szabados.
Comparable to winter 2018/2019
“Last year, a large part of the ski tours were already possible in November, but I don’t think the current situation is unusual,” says snow and avalanche expert Lukas Ruetz. It is reminiscent of winter 2018/2019. “Then we had no snow at all until mid-December, but from January it became a top touring season with exceptional amounts of snow.”
Avoid glaciers
For now, tour riders will have to continue baking smaller sandwiches. “And definitely stay away from the glaciers,” warns Ruetz.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
