Backcountry Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Conditions for Gulmarg 21.1.2015

ALPINE   3,000 to 4,000 meters                                   

BELOW TREELINE Below 3,000 meters

Primary Problem

A persistent slab is any slab formed over a persistent weak layer, in our case, depth hoar. These slabs are hard to predict, often are triggered from the middle or low on the slab, and can propagate over large areas and across terrain features traditionally thought of as safe zones, like ridges, benches, and low angle terrain. The problem can last for weeks or months.

Snowpack discussion

Today the danger rating is remaining moderate in the alpine zone. Gondola Status: Phase 1 will be open today at 1000 and phase 2 as well, we will shut down the gondola to skiing when the weather dictates today. Persistent slab is our primary problem. We have persistent slabs sitting on a persistent weak layer of depth hoar anywhere there is old snow from early in the season, this includes W, NW, N, NE, and E facing slopes near ridgelines. Our snowpack depth is widely variable, with greater than 2 meters of snow in lee deposition zones near ridgelines, and just over a meter in mid-slope areas. You won’t find these persistent slabs in mid-slope areas, but will find a rotten snowpack, with a thick wind crust on top, and 30-60 cms of new snow on top of that. You will hit rocks if you ski today.

Weather Discussion for 3000m

Cloudy this morning and light snow coming in this afternoon with light southerly winds. Highs around 5 degrees with a low of -3.  We will keep access to phase 2 today open until we lose it due to inclement weather coming in.

Issued by: Gulmarg Ski Patrol

This advisory is issued as a public service. No patrol services or avalanche control take place outside of the ski area boundary.