Some winter sports enthusiasts rush to the slopes full of enthusiasm after the first snowfall of the season, others prefer to wait for ideal conditions, and still others prefer skiing in the warmer spring months. All these weather conditions have their advantages and disadvantages. The important thing is to adapt to the respective weather conditions in order to stay safe at all times. Under these circumstances, not only SnowTrex knows that skiing is then fun in almost any weather.
No matter the weather: this is how to go safely on the slopes
Preparation begins before you hit the slopes: winter sports enthusiasts should always be well rested and physically fit. This increases concentration – because attentive skiing is important in all weather conditions so as not to endanger yourself or others.
Warm up properly
Before hitting the slopes, you should warm up. This not only reduces the risk of injury: the body can react better to surprising impulses and external stresses such as strong wind. Warming up shortly before skiing also increases your ability to concentrate, as you are better mentally prepared for the ride and therefore more attentive on the slopes.
Know the route
It is very helpful to look at the route in advance. The better you know the terrain in advance, the calmer and more thoughtful you can react if the weather suddenly changes. For example, if you know where the next hut is, you can go there directly when the snow starts to fall. Of course, it also helps not to travel alone, but with a partner, and to take the precaution of storing all emergency numbers in your mobile phone. If, for example, you cannot get to safety in time in a heavy snowstorm or are cut off, you can call for help this way.
In addition, there are many good weather apps such as iSki or Bergfex, which are specially designed for winter sports and with which you can also check the exact weather conditions on site, among other things. It is generally advisable to always check the weather forecast and the avalanche situation again before setting off.
Reacting to changes in the weather
On the slopes, don’t be too stubborn about following the plan you made in the morning. If the weather conditions change and you don’t feel safe, it’s best to take a break or end the ski day a little earlier than planned. Safety always comes first.
Even perfect conditions require attention
When it finally starts, winter sports enthusiasts should always be aware of what different weather and visibility conditions mean for skiing.
For example, the dream conditions of soft fresh snow, bright sunshine, windless air and a temperature between -1 and -6°C make the hearts of winter sports enthusiasts beat faster. Because these weather conditions are considered by many to be perfect conditions: Here, everything comes together that makes skiing particularly pleasant and so beautiful.
- The temperatures are neither so cold that it becomes uncomfortable to ski, nor so warm that the snow melts.
- Without wind, it is also warmer and the snow is not stirred up, which thus makes for perfect weather and skiing conditions.
- Fresh snow in particular is very pleasant for skiing because it is light and dry. This makes it particularly easy to ski through the snow.
- Depending on the altitude, there are often different weather conditions on a piste.
Since powder snow is more than 90% air, it is very soft. When skiing through powder snow, there is hardly any resistance and winter sports enthusiasts virtually glide through it. If it is also sunny and windless, experienced skiers can pick up the pace. Beginners at least fall very softly. No wonder, then, that these weather conditions are the ideal condition for many.
In the Alps, however, this does not happen often. Especially the soft, dry powder snow is rare because it doesn’t get cold enough – as a result, the snow tends to be wet and heavy. Especially in the high Alps, it is also rarely windless. In North America or Japan, on the other hand, these dreamlike weather and snow conditions are more common.
However, it is often precisely these ideal conditions that can lead to accidents on the slopes. The weather is nice, the visibility is good, you can go faster, the drops are soft – all this tempts you to go too fast and not pay much attention: When you ski fast, you easily get into a backward position, which causes the skis to lose contact with the snow. This in turn can cause you to lose your balance or ski uncontrollably. Therefore, you should ski at a reasonable speed and not become overconfident.
Moreover, those who do not expect any difficulties or dangers when skiing quickly become careless. Studies have shown that a high sense of safety even leads to more injuries in sports. This means: Especially in ideal weather conditions, you should always ski with full concentration.
Skiing safely in strong winds
As a rule, however, winter sports enthusiasts do not always have perfect conditions. It can be very stormy, especially on high peaks. Some winter sports enthusiasts love to have the wind whipping around their ears when they are skiing downhill. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as you are well dressed, adjust your skiing style and stop when the gusts are too strong.
The rule of thumb is: when the ski lifts close, it’s too windy to ski. However, this is somewhat simplified, as some cableways and lifts can withstand winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour (km/h), while others stop operating at wind speeds of around 50 km/h. Experts say that winter sports enthusiasts usually still ski safely at wind speeds between 50 and 60 km/h. However, skiing can be stopped at wind speeds as low as 50 km/h.
However, driving can become unpleasant at wind speeds of over 35 km/h without additional protection. Of course, this depends on the wind direction as well as the temperature. Depending on the outside conditions, the wind is felt to be more or less strong. Body weight can also play a role in how stable you feel on the skis at what wind speed.
As soon as you feel that the wind is endangering your balance, you should slow down. If even then stable skiing is not possible: ski slowly and carefully off the piste and wait for the weather conditions to improve or, better still, abandon the day.
Suitable clothing protects you from the wind
If you ski in windy weather, you should always be dressed appropriately. Because even if the temperatures don’t seem that cold, the so-called wind chill effect makes the body freeze faster. You start to feel the wind chill factor at temperatures below 10°C: the stronger the wind blows and the colder the temperatures are, the further the outside temperature feels like it is dropping. For example, -10°C at a wind speed of 10 km/h feels like -15.2°C. If the wind speed increases to 25 km/h, it feels like -18.7°C.
The best way to combat this is to wear suitable clothing, preferably in the form of several breathable layers. Clothing for winter sports should therefore be breathable, because too tight clothing inhibits blood circulation, making it even easier to freeze. In addition, the combination of moisture, in this case sweat, and wind and cold also makes you freeze faster. Winter clothing is usually made of special functional fibres that are breathable and insulate well.
The typical onion technique for winter sports includes thermal underwear made of functional fibres, ski socks, a long shirt also made of functional fibres, a ski pullover, water-repellent ski pants and ski jacket, as well as gloves, a scarf and, if needed, a face mask. Materials such as down or polyamide are recommended, as they allow air to circulate, but also keep you warm and repel wind and water well.
In addition, you should also listen to your body when skiing in the wind. If you freeze badly, the wind stirs up the snow so much that you can’t see anything or you have trouble not falling over: Then it is high time to stop.
Wind changes the snow
But the wind not only influences how we feel when skiing, it can also affect the material of the skis. When strong winds and cold temperatures (from -20°C) come together, sharp points form on the snow crystals. They stick to the skis and can destroy the material layer. This is certainly an extreme situation, but the influence of the wind on the top layer of snow should not be underestimated.
Wind can also quickly form grainy old snow from soft new snow. Old snow and new snow do not combine, however, so they form a very slippery surface. This makes skiing unstable and increases the risk of snow slides and avalanches. Anyone who notices this should not panic, but should ski very carefully and slowly but surely move away from the piste.
Skiing in snowfall
Skiing in snowfall can also be dangerous under certain circumstances. This is because snowfall can not only be beautiful, but also unpredictable when skiing, as it is never entirely clear how the fresh snow will relate to the underlying snow.
For example, if it is only snowing lightly and the temperatures are below freezing, the falling fresh snow provides a pleasant soft surface through which you can glide unhindered.
However, when the snowfall turns into a blizzard, caution is advised. Not only is visibility severely impaired, but the humid air also causes body temperature to drop rapidly. This is exacerbated by the wind, so there is a risk of hypothermia.
If you notice that the wind and snowfall are becoming more intense before setting off, it is better to take a break and wait until the weather improves. If you notice on the way that the snowfall is getting heavier, you should try to get back to the valley or to the next mountain hut as quickly as possible and wait there.
In warmer temperatures around freezing point, on the other hand, snowfall has a completely different effect. Here, unlike powder snow, the new snow is wet and heavy. This makes it stick better, but at the same time means that the skis no longer glide smoothly through it. This happens especially often in spring, when it also gets warmer in the mountains. Skiing through the heavy, wet snow becomes more strenuous: if you don’t lean forward so much and use the poles skilfully, you won’t put too much strain on your joints.
Skiing on ice
When it hasn’t snowed for a long time and the temperatures are cold, a layer of ice often forms. Because winter sports enthusiasts ski on the same layer of snow again and again and no new snow falls, the snow that is already on the ground is compressed more and more until a hard layer forms. However, the ice makes it more difficult for winter sports enthusiasts to make controlled turns.On the other hand, an even layer of ice can also be a good base for fast descents. You can practice on it to improve your stability.
A good skiing technique on ice is to ski more diagonally instead of the usual soft curves and to apply pressure along the entire length of the edge. Very wide turns along the soft snow and around the ice slabs are possible this way. However, this puts more pressure on knees and ankles. The shoes must therefore be very tightly fastened. The upper body should not lean too much to maintain stability.
If you are not up to these conditions or cannot master these techniques and control your descent, it is better to spend the day comfortably in the ski hut when there is ice on the piste.
Extreme cold
Extreme cold, i.e. temperatures below zero, also affect skiing. Winter sports enthusiasts should always bear in mind that temperatures can fluctuate greatly between the mountain and the valley and between the morning and the afternoon. For every 1,000 metres of altitude, the temperature drops by about six degrees.
Staying warm is therefore a prerequisite. In addition to suitable protective clothing, it is therefore also important to plan for small snacks. These can be fruit or dried fruit as well as muesli bars or wholemeal bread. Anything that contains lots of good carbohydrates and provides energy (and thus warmth) without being too heavy on the stomach is recommended. If you don’t eat enough, your metabolism will slow down and you will freeze more quickly. Drinking should also not be forgotten. Too little liquid leads to lack of concentration, weakness and tiredness.
In addition, regular breaks in the warm are not only cosy, but also important, as the body gets tired more quickly in the cold. So you can warm up nicely with a hot chocolate before continuing.
Winter sports enthusiasts also stay warm by planning their routes well: if you tend to stick to the slopes with warmed lifts in very cold weather conditions, you won’t freeze too much on the ascent.
However, the frosty temperatures also affect the equipment – for example, the bindings can freeze. During breaks, it can help to briefly step out of the bindings and back in again to thaw the mechanism.
Warm Weather and slush
At the other extreme are warm temperatures when skiing, i.e. around or above freezing point. These cause the snow to melt. In the first days of spring, this often happens during the day when the thermometer climbs above zero degrees. At night, the temperatures drop again, the melted snow freezes and the result is an icy slope or with slushy snow.
This has two effects on skiing: As with cardboard snow, the slush is heavy, so you have to use a lot of force when skiing. In addition, the snow sticks under the skis and sucks them to the ground. But this also gives you a somewhat firmer footing.
If you fall down, you will notice the second effect of the icy slush: it burns your skin. You can avoid skiing on the slush by getting on the slopes early, when it is not yet warm. Early risers are rewarded with pleasant temperatures and free descents.
Pay attention to the weather forecast and adjust accordingly
From snowfall to ice to strong winds: skiing does not always go hand in hand with the best weather conditions. Therefore, it is important to read the weather forecast carefully and prepare well for the respective weather conditions with the appropriate skiing style and the right equipment.
With this combination of the right attitude, good protective clothing and suitable skiing style, you can have fun skiing in all weather conditions!
FAQs on weather and visibility conditions for skiing
Every winter sports enthusiast has personal preferences, but sunny and windless weather with temperatures between -1 and -7°C and a thick layer of fresh snow are considered by many to be the ideal conditions.
Yes and no. It is precisely good conditions that tempt winter sports enthusiasts to ski too fast and too recklessly. Therefore, you should always drive carefully and prudently even in the best weather conditions.
When strong winds coincide with cold temperatures, the snow crystals form sharp points. These can indeed damage the underside of the skis.
As long as the ski lifts are running and visibility is not too badly affected, skiing in snowfall can be very enjoyable. Also, since you never know for sure how the fresh snow will behave, you should always ski at a reasonable speed. If there is a strong wind in addition to the snowfall, not only is visibility severely restricted, but there is also a risk of hypothermia. In this case, you should refrain from skiing downhill.
When skiing over icy surfaces, a combination of a strong edge and pressure on the length is important in order to get a good “grip” on the ground and remain stable. Those who have not mastered this technique should avoid icy slopes.
Wet snow is heavy, so the skis stick to it relatively strongly. Powder snow, on the other hand, is very soft and light and also dry. For winter sports enthusiasts, this means that they have to exert less effort to ski through soft snow – you feel like you are gliding. Driving through wet snow requires more strength and is therefore perceived as more strenuous.
