“The white gold is also the most dangerous gold,” says Hans Schrom, head instructor at Skischule Zell am See in Austria after describing the unbelievable and threatening amount of snowfall over the last few days.
Since New Year’s Day there has been an unprecedented almost three metres of snowfall in the country. While skiers are revelling in waist-deep conditions after an incessant stream of hefty flakes, there have also been death across a number of countries fatalities caused by the extreme weather –
Three Germans were found dead in an avalanche fall on Saturday in Austria taking the total weather-related deaths across Europe to at least 26.
Last week, Austrian authorities have issued a high risk alert along the Hochkar Alpine Road and despite level four avalanche warnings (on on a scale of five), people are still facing terrifying incidents.
“There is a famous saying in German that ‘the wind is the builder of the avalanche,’’ said 23-year-old ski instructor, Sofie Moulvad from Zell am See. “That perfectly describes the conditions at the moment.”
Before moving to Austria, Moulvad worked as an instructor for three years in Niseko, on Hokkaido, Japan’s north island. Hokkaido can expect snowfall of up to 600cm annually and is home to some of the best snow conditions for powder skiing in the world.
This is her second season in Zell am See, where a depth of 100-245cm of snow has settled on-piste depending on the altitude level in the resort near Salzburg. “This is unlike anything I’ve seen in the Alps,” she said. ‘This is like Japan! It’s crazy.”
More like Japan than the Alps
“We’ve had an amazing amount of snow compared to last year. But it’s still very unnerving to hear about these massive avalanches happening nearby.” Despite skiing the deep, fresh snow, which can feel like floating or surfing a wave, Moulvad explains that the dangers are not being taken lightly and this snow has limited the safe terrain available. “Everyone on the slopes is taking precautions because even the most commonly known safe places to ski are actually at risk. We’ve been told by piste patrol and the ski school – absolutely no skiing off-piste.”
The resort of Obergurgl was inaccessible earlier this week because snow was overwhelming efforts to clear the roads, according to James Cove, editor of snow sports news site, Planet Ski. He adds that some lifts in nearby Ischgl were stopped because they were completely buried in places and helicopters were unable to assist with avalanche control blasting because winds were too high.
In Switzerland, Australian skier Brittany Iliffe, 21, feels she has won the lottery for powder in Andermatt. Though not at Austria’s level, the resort has also had record-breaking levels of snow. Engelberg, which is close by, has seen 50-230cm of snow this week, according to Planet Ski’s weekly snow report. “On a good day the snow conditions have been incredible,” says Iliffe.
“There’s light fluffy powder and plenty of face shots of snow while you ski it. The powder literally comes up to your waist – and not just when you ski, but even walking past the slopes.”
Unlike busier resorts, Andermatt has much less traffic on the open pistes if other runs or lifts are closed, says Iliffe. “The mountain is generally always quiet anyway so you get fresh tracks every run. It is amazing.”
She is, however, constantly conscious of the overshadowing risk which has arrived along with this heavy snow. “While the slopes have been amazing to explore, the avalanche danger is quite high, which is pretty scary. But the resort always ensures it is safe to ski.”
Advice for skiers travelling to Austria
Cove is returning to Innsbruck on Monday, and says that although many skiers are cancelling their trips, there is no reason to avoid the slopes. “The piste patrol are trying to keep as much of the resort open as possible. There is limited skiing but everyone out there is having a great time. It’s fabulous skiing out there especially in Austria.”
“Most resorts are advising people to stay-on piste, and they are the experts. Anyone going skiing now should stay on the piste. If a run is closed do not ski it, because it is closed for a reason,” he says.
