Haute-Tarentaise · 1 February 2026

Day Risk Profile

Moderate

below 1800m

Considerable

above 1800m

Avalanche Problems

Considerable (3) Dry avalanches · all day

Wind slab + Persistent weak layers + No distinct problem 3

N, SE, S, SW, W

above 1800m

Field notes

Wind slab

Look for fresh snow deposits on Slope facing downwind/ wind sheltered aspect. Snow deposits can attain several times average snow depth.EAWS glossary, in Usually a steep, elongated, eroded trench; typically prone to snowdrift accumulation.EAWS glossary and Rounded or elongated concavity; typically tending to accumulate snowdrift.EAWS glossary, and behind ridgelines and abrupt changes in terrain — these are where the wind has loaded the snow into slabs that are easy to trigger. Recent avalanches, shooting cracks under your weight, and Distinctive noise (resembling a “whumpf” sound) occurring when a weak layer beneath a slab collapses. The air of the weak layer is forced outside the snowpack, with the resulting whumpf sound being heard. The sound usually indicates an unstable situation and can be accompanied by surface cracking. A whumpf is a clear avalanche alert.EAWS glossary sounds are clear confirmations of the problem. The safest move is to avoid wind-loaded terrain entirely. NB wind signs alone don't always mean an avalanche problem exists, and the age of drifted snow is hard to judge.

Persistent weak layers

Persistent Snowpack layer in which the crystals are poorly bonded and the layer has the potential to fail. Typical crystals in dry weak layers causing avalanches are : precipitation particles; surface hoar; faceted crystals; hollow crystals; graupel. Generally >1mm in size, loose grains with few bonds Wet weak layers can be formed by all snow crystal/grain types.EAWS glossary are very challenging to recognise. Distinctive noise (resembling a “whumpf” sound) occurring when a weak layer beneath a slab collapses. The air of the weak layer is forced outside the snowpack, with the resulting whumpf sound being heard. The sound usually indicates an unstable situation and can be accompanied by surface cracking. A whumpf is a clear avalanche alert.EAWS glossary sounds and shooting cracks are typical when present, but you can have a serious weak layer with no warning signs at the surface. Knowledge of how the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary has evolved is essential. SLF's travel advice is direct: travel conservatively, avoid terrain where the consequences of being caught are large, and treat the history of weather and snow as more important than what you can see today. Read the full bulletin.

No distinct problem

SLF uses this label when no single problem dominates the assessment, often on lower-danger days. It doesn't mean conditions are safe: any avalanche type is still possible, and normal caution applies. On stable days this is usually a signal to enjoy the mountains with general awareness; on less-stable days where the assessment is still inconclusive, it's a signal to be cautious specifically because there's no clear pattern to follow.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Avalanche Activity

COUCHE FRAGILE ENFOUIE : GRANDES AVALANCHES TOUJOURS POSSIBLES.

rares petits départs ponctuels, au soleil dans les adrets raides (taille 1, souvent de simples boulettes).

ATTENTION, au-dessus de 1800 m, une couche fragile persistante reste enfouie (grains anguleux sans cohésion, semblables à du gros sel). Présente essentiellement dans les

pentes Nord, Est et Ouest mais aussi en Sud à haute altitude, elle vient former une épaisse structure de plaque. Son déclenchement est possible, aussi bien localement qu'à

distance, ou qu'en cascade. Les avalanches provoquées peuvent être grandes (taille 3), avec des cassures régulièrement autour d'1 m.

De plus, quelques petites plaques friables de surface sont en place en tous versants, localement nombreuses vers La Rosière. Elles se sont formées avec les petites chutes de

neige et le vent tout au long de la semaine. On les trouve dans les zones d'accumulation, aussi bien près des crêtes qu'en pied de pente. Elles perdent en réactivité mais

peuvent encore réagir au passage d'un skieur. Cassures 20/40 cm, tailles 1 à 2 (petites à moyennes).

Observables : pour les plaques "de surface", le transport de neige par le vent est visible par moment mais mais la présence d'une petite couche de neige fraîche tombée sans

vent ce vendredi peut les dissimuler. Pour les autres, seul un "woumf" ou une coupe du manteau peut mettre à jour la présence de couche fragile persistante.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Situation avalancheuse typique

couche fragile persistante neige ventée

Déclenchements provoqués :