This is a trip we have talked about running for years and when a group of friends from Bellingham contacted us about the trip, we got to work making arrangements.  The trip takes place in the Tyrol region of Austria, just north of the Swiss and Italian borders.  In fact, its easy to look into the Ortler range of Italy, or the Bernina group of Switzerland from numerous high points in the Silvretta region.

Here are the most recent observations from the Stevens Pass zone.  Very few recent avalanches observed near Stevens Pass.  The main concerns right now are wet loose avalanches on sun exposed slopes at treeline and below as well as isolated wind slabs near ridge crest.  The best skiing can be found on north aspects above 4,000'.

Wow!  The skiing yesterday was amazing.  We woke up in the morning with over a foot and half of new, low density snow outside the window.  It's hard to put into words how fun the skiing was.  Video does a better job but nothing beats the real thing.  Our season is winding down here with the DOT planning to start plowing the road on March 31st.

Current Conditions

I think it is fair to say that the February storm is one of the longest, most productive storms I've seen in a long, long time.  I tallied up the snow totals at the yurt, which are taken twice a day, from when the storm started on February 9th until February 23rd, and the total snowfall during that time frame was 352 centimeters.  That is over eleven feet of snow in two weeks (for those of you who prefer their snow measurements in good old 'merican).  Not bad.

I know we keep talking about this storm but it has been impressive.  I was able to get out on Friday near Stevens Pass, which has picked up over 12 feet of new snow during this storm.  While the snowpack is a little unstable right now the backcountry skiing is totally amazing (if you pick the right terrain).

This storm has been amazing and it continues to dump outside as I write this post.  If you haven't had the chance to sample the goods, you need to call in sick and make it happen.  I've skied the last 5 days straight and finally had to take a rest day.  The trail breaking has been waist deep and it's time to recharge before another round tomorrow.  Looking forward to it....

We had a fun time skiing in the Stevens Pass zone today.  The 13" of new snow was welcome but the stability was less than perfect.  Thanks to Larina Davis for the fun skiing and solid skills with the camera.

Pictures from yesterday.  Amazing what a little bit of new snow will do for you.....