Avalanche prone locations mostly in very steep shady terrain above 2400m

Avalanche danger has receded over the course of the week. Moderate danger still prevails above 2400m from region to region in North Tirol, otherwise the danger level is low. Caution still urged especially on very steep shady slopes at high altitudes.

Only few avalanche prone locations, lots of spots lacking much snow

The Snowpack

A persistent weak layer problem (seldom triggerable) is currently the major peril. Avalanche prone locations are found mostly in those regions with the most snow on the ground north of the Main Alpine Ridge. In isolated cases there, weak layers of faceted crystals (bordering on melt-freeze crusts) could break away beneath the weight of winter sports enthusiasts and thereby unleash a slab avalanche. The necessary combination of weak layer and slab lodged on top of it no longer occurs so frequently, the slab tends to be more loosely packed, the bonding of the crystals inside the weak layer is stronger. Danger zones occur predominantly on very steep north-facing slopes above 2400m (in very isolated cases also on west and east-facing slopes at higher altitudes). Caution is urged particularly in terrain near ridges, in gullies and in bowls.

Schneebrettlawinen der vergangenen Woche in den Kalkkögeln. (© Reinhold Oblak, 02.12.2025) — Slab avalanches last week in the Kalkkögeln. (© Reinhold Oblak, 02.12.2025)

Comparatively the least favorable situation is still in high alpine regions in glaciated, shady terrain, where avalanches that unleash tend to be larger sized.

Spontane Schneebrettlawinen im Bereich des Windacher Daunkogels in den Stubaier Alpen, welche vermutlich am 26.11. abgegangen sein dürften. (© Patrick Ribis, 02.12.2025) — Naturally triggered slab avalanches near Windacher Daunkogel in the Stubai Alp, presumably triggering on 26.11. (© Patrick Ribis, 02.12.2025)

Aufbauend umgewandelte Kristalle (meist kantig, teilweise auch Schwimmschnee) in Bodennähe. Thurntaler in der Region Deferegger Alpen Ost (© Anton Riepler, 30.11.2025) — Expansively metamorphosed crystals (mostly faceted, in some places also rotten snow) near ground level. Thurntaler in the regions of Deferegger Alps East (© Anton Riepler, 30.11.2025)

Ein typisches Schneeprofil im schattigen Gelände in hohen Lagen. Im unteren Bereich der Schneedecke findet man eine Abfolge von weicheren und härteren Schichten. Darüber ein meist nicht (mehr) allzu ausgeprägtes Brett. Stabilitätstests führen häufig nur mehr zu Teilbrüchen. Interessant ist zudem die dünne Schmelzkruste in Oberflächennähe, welche am 29.11. dort, wo die Berge in Wolken eingehüllt waren, durch leichten Nieselregen entstanden ist. Mattunjoch, Westliche Lechtaler Alpen. (2480m / Nord / 30 Grad) (© LWD Tirol, 03.12.2025) — Typical snow profile in shady terrain at high altitude. In lower part of the snowpack, a succession of softer and harder layers. On top of that, a modestly marked slab, generally no longer triggerable. Stability tests currently cause only partial fractures. Fascinating is the thin melt-freeze crust near the surface which was generated by light drizzling rain on 29.11 wherever the mountains were shrouded in clouds. Mattunjoch, western Lechtal Alps. (2489m / north / 30 degrees) (© LWD Tirol, 03.12.2025)

Webcam-Bild vom 29.11. vom Arlberggebiet. Aus den Wolken nieselte es gebietsweise etwas heraus. Am Nachmittag des 29.11. klarte es dann auf. In Folge bildete sich eine dünne Schmelzkruste an der Schneeoberfläche. (© foto-webcam.eu) — Webcam shot from 29.11 in Arlberg region. Regionally some drizzling rain. During the afternoon hours of 29.11 skies then cleared, and a thin melt-freeze crust formed on the snowpack surface. (© foto-webcam.eu)

Stabile Schneedecke in einem 38° steilen Westhang auf 2300m am Hafelekar (Westliches Karwendel) oberhalb von Innsbruck (© Leo Schneider, 01.12.2025) — Stable snowpack on steep (38°) west-facing slope at 2300m on the Hafelekar (western Karwendel) above Innsbruck (© Leo Schneider, 01.12.2025)

Während der vergangenen Woche gingen bei uns immer wieder Meldungen über Oberflächenreif ein. Schaut man sich die Wetterprognose an, so dürfte dieser mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit kommenden Sonntag, den 07.12. durch Regen und Wärmeeinfluss zerstört werden. Kirchspitze - Gerlos - Zillertal (© Stefan Wierer, 04.12.2025) — Last week, repeated reports of surface hoar were made. According to current weather forecasts, it is likely that rain and warmth will dissolve this on Sunday, 7 December. Kirchspitze – Gerlos – Zillertal (© Stefan Wierer, 04.12.2025)

The snow situation

Even if we did get some snowfall in some regions between 17 and 26 November, snow depth have continually diminished since then, partly due to the higher temperatures as of 29 November, also because winds did their destructive work on the snowpack, particularly in the regions along the Main Alpine Ridge. For those reasons, off-piste terrain throughout Tirol currently has a lack of snow.

Die Karte zeigt die Verteilung der Gesamtschneehöhe. — The map depicts snow-depth distribution.

In den typischen Föhnstrichen war es auf den Bergen für ein paar Tage recht windig. Windkarte vom 01.12.2025 um 23:00 Uhr. — Typical foehn lanes were quite windy for a few days. Wind map from 01.12.2025 at 11:00 pm.

Die Wetterstation Hahnenkamm bei Reutte. Wetterverlauf der vergangenen Woche: Die Schneeoberfläche wurde dort am 29.11. und 30.11. feucht. Am 01.12. schneite es ein wenig (Dieser Schneefall betraf damals v.a. den Norden Nordtirols). — Hahnenkamm weather station near Reutte. Weather development last week: the snowpack surface was moist on 29-30 November. On 1 December there was a bit of snowfall (mostly in North Tirol).

Die Elferspitze, eine Wetterstation, die bei einer Südföhnlage besonders gut anspricht. Windzunahme ab dem 01.12.2025) — Elferspitze, a weather station particularly susceptible to a southerly foehn-wind situation: increasing wind started on 1 December 2025.

Ein Bild vom südlichen Osttirol zeigt die ungleichmäßige Schneeverteilung bei einer gering mächtigen Schneedecke (© Anton Riepler) — A picture from southern East Tirol shows the highly irregular snow distribution and a shallow snowpack. (© Anton Riepler)

In den Tuxer Alpen am 27.11.2025. Inzwischen schaut es dort auch aufgrund von Windeinfluss nicht mehr so schön winterlich aus. Steinkontakt häuft sich inzwischen wieder. (© Stefano Morettini) — In the Tux Alps on 27.11.2025. In the interim, it no longer looks as wintery there due to heavy wind impact. Upshot: contact with rocks is again on the rise. (© Stefano Morettini)

Vom Wind aper gefegte Flächen neben eingewehten Rinnen und Mulden. Westliche Tuxer Alpen (© Marco Knoflach, 03.12.2025) — Surfaces blown bare of snow by winds, adjacent to wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Western Tux Alps (© Marco Knoflach, 03.12.2025)

Während im Tal und auf den Schattenhängen etwas Schnee liegt, schmilzt dieser in Sonnenhängen zunehmend dahin. Hochfilzen in der Region Waidringer Alpen (© LWD Tirol, 03.12.2025) — While there is still some snow in shady terrain down in the valley, it melts in the sunshine in the heights. Hochfilzen, in region of Waidringer Alps (© LWD Tirol, 03.12.2025)

Vergangene Woche konnte man gebietsweise - wie hier am Stubaier Gletscher - Pulverschnee genießen. Dennoch musste man auch dort auf "sharks", knapp unterhalb der Schneedecke verborgene Steine achten. (© LWD Tirol, 28.11.2025) — Last week powder snow could still be enjoyed in some regions, such as here on Stubai Glacier. However, high attentiveness to sharks – rocks hiding just below the surface – was necessary. (© LWD Tirol, 28.11.2025)

Isolated glacier releases

The warmth penetrating the snowpack intensifed the tendency towards glide-snow avalanches (mostly slides) starting on 29 November. In the meantime, such glide-snow avalanches have become rare.

Der Schnee gleitet auf Grashängen ab. Defereggental (© 02.12.2025) — Snow gliding over grass-covered slopes. Defereggental (© Mark Kleinlercher, 02.12.2025)

Viele Gleitschneerutsche in den Lechtaler Alpen im Nahbereich des Hahntenjochs (© Stefan Zangerl, 30.11.2025) — Frequent glide-snowslides in the Lechtal Alps near Hantenjoch (© Stefan Zangerl, 30.11.2025)

What’s the outlook?

According to GSA (Geosphere Austria), “a weak low-pressure front will bring moist air masses and slightly dropping temperatures with a perturbance on early Friday, 05.12.2025. Then on the weekend, changing to a westerly air current and milder air masses. On Sunday and Monday, a warm front will bring rain and a sharply descending snow level.” The amounts of precipitation will be modest. Winds will initially be southerly to southeasterly. As next weekend approaches, a westerly air current will take over.

Ab Samstag, den 06.12.2025 gehts mit den Temperaturen bergauf. — Starting on Saturday, 06.12, temperatures will rise.

Not much change in the avalanche situation is expected. As a result of higher temperatures and limited rainfall up to high altitudes, gliding snow activity could increase slightly. At high altitudes, snowdrift masses will be generated.