What does the scale above mean to you as a skier or snowboarder in the Gulmarg backcountry? Remember, this advisory is for the Gulmarg backcountry, which means the terrain that is outside of Gulmarg Ski Area. The red areas in the photo below are the Gulmarg backcountry, and the green area is Gulmarg Ski Area. This advisory does not apply to the green zone ski area. Read more here.
For ski area updates during the day please join Gulmarg Avalanche Advisory page on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2jowwOM.
Snowpack Discussion
22 February 2017 – In the past 72 hours naturally and artificially triggered avalanches large enough to bury and kill a human have released in the Alpine above 3000 meters on Northerly aspects. Today is a day to ski in the ski area. Avoid the Gulmarg backcountry today above Treeline. Avalanche danger in the Alpine (above 3000 meters) is Considerable (3) today. Natural avalanches possible, human triggered avalanches likely. We’ve received new snowfall in the past 36 hours accompanied by Moderate Southerly winds gusting to Strong. Avalanche danger at Treeline (2500m-3000m) and Below Treeline (<2500m) is Moderate (2). Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered dry loose avalanches possible. Today is a day to ski in the ski area and give the snow pack a day to settle and adjust.
http://www.deepsnowsafety.org/index.php/. We now have enough snow in the conifer forests for skiers and riders to get trapped in tree wells. Read more about this phenomenon in the link above. It causes several fatalities each year in other ski regions of the globe.
Avalanche Problem #1 – Storm Slab
Release of a soft cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within the storm snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slab problems typically last between a few hours and few days. Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
You can reduce your risk from Storm Slabs by waiting a day or two after a storm before venturing into steep terrain. Storm slabs are most dangerous on slopes with terrain traps, such as timber, gullies, over cliffs, or terrain features that make it difficult for a rider to escape off the side. You could say we currently have a wind/storm slab problem in the Alpine.
Gulmarg Ski Area (green zone) Timings for 22/2/2017:
Phase 1 – 8:15am – 4:30 pm (last cabin at 4:15pm)
Phase 2 – 8:45am – 4:00pm (last cabin at 3:45pm)*
Chair Lift* – 8:45am – 4:00pm (last chair at 3:45pm)
*These are the set timings for the ski area. Today we are doing avalanche control work after receiving new snowfall. We are planning to open after avalanche control work.
Beacon Training
Today there are (1) beacons buried on Merry Shoulder today. The beacon training area here in Gulmarg is located on Merry Shoulder. The orange dot (see photo below) indicates where a red flag is next to a large birch tree. This is the “point last seen”. Start your search here. We have one, two, and three beacons buried here daily. Please do not dig up the beacons, simply cycle through your Primary (signal) search, Secondary (flux line) search, Pinpoint search, and then Probing. A probe strike indicates the end of your search. If you’re interested in learning more, please come by Gulmarg Ski Patrol base at the bottom of the chair lift.
Next avalanche talk is Tuesday, 28 February 2017 at 7:30pm at Pine Palace Resort. Pine Palace Resort is located in Gulmarg meadow. Talks will continue every Tuesday night at 7:30 pm through 28 March, 2017.