Monthly snow conditions

Statistics based on annual averages over the past 5 years.

In an average winter-season at Durrand Glacier, the snow-pack starts forming in late October. In April and early May we still experience frequent dry snow-fall. By mid April we measure at 2220 meters elevation (7300 ft) an average snowfall of approximately 3050 cm (100 ft), which consolidates into a snow-pack of up to 6 meters (20 feet).

November:

By mid November height of snow-pack is 150 cm to 200 cm, depending on elevation and exposure.
35 cm to 45 cm extremely light and dry powder-snow in all aspects and elevations is overlaying an early winter snow-pack.
60% of all tree-runs and 80% of all high alpine runs are in top-conditions.
Day-time temperatures expected -7 to -11° Celsius.

December:

Height of snow-pack 250 cm to 300 cm, depending on elevation and exposure.
35 cm to 45 cm extremely light and dry powder-snow in all aspects and elevations is overlaying a well settled Northern Selkirk snow-pack.
90% of all tree-runs and of all high alpine runs are in top-conditions.
Day-time temperatures expected -10 to -12° Celsius.

January:

Height of snow-pack 300 cm to 380 cm, depending on elevation and exposure.
35 cm to 45 cm extremely light and dry powder-snow in all aspects and elevations is overlaying a well settled Northern Selkirk snow-pack.
All tree-runs and all high alpine runs are in top-conditions.
Day-time temperatures expected -7 to -11° Celsius.

February:

Height of snow-pack 350 cm to 500 cm, depending on elevation and exposure.
25 cm to 40 cm extremely light and dry powder-snow in all aspects and elevations is overlaying a well settled Northern Selkirk snow-pack.
All tree-runs and all high alpine runs are in top-conditions.
Day-time temperatures expected -4 to -8° Celsius.

March:

Height of snow-pack 430 cm to 590 cm, depending on elevation and exposure.
25 cm to 40 cm light and dry powder-snow in all aspects and elevations is overlaying a well settled Northern Selkirk snow-pack.
Most tree-runs and all runs in the high alpine are in top-conditions. Sun-effect in extreme southerly aspects.
Day-time temperatures expected -3 to -8° Celsius.

April:

Height of snow-pack 450 cm to 630 cm, depending on elevation and exposure.
20 cm to 30 cm light powder-snow in east, north and west aspects of the alpine is overlaying a well settled Northern Selkirk snow-pack. Southerly aspects show powder during snow-storms, but often turn into great corn-snow.
All runs of the lower alpine and the high alpine are in top-conditions.
Frequent snow-storms and cool night-temperatures keep the powder fresh throughout the entire month of April.
Day-time temperatures expected -1 to -7° Celsius.
Night temperatures -5 to -8° Celsius

Early May:

Height of snow-pack 430 cm to 630 cm, depending on elevation and exposure.
20 cm light powder-snow in east, north and west aspects of the alpine is overlaying a well settled Northern Selkirk snow-pack. Southerly aspects show powder during snow-storms, but often turn into great corn-snow.
All runs of the lower alpine and the high alpine are in top-conditions.
Frequent snow-storms and cool night-temperatures keep the powder fresh throughout the early part of May.
Day-time temperatures expected -1 to +4° Celsius.
Night temperatures -5 to -8° Celsius