Image Set: "Ski Tour to the Flöschhore".

An unusual warm spell over the last few weeks here in the Swiss Alps has made finding good snow (between work and family life) an interesting endeavour.

My view as I was setting the skin track towards the summit, about 2/3 of the way up (that peak is still a lot further than it looks!).

Snow can be a fickle mistress.

And to keep on her good side is a lifelong adventure.

As I alluded to, the winter conditions here in the mountains where we live has been less than ideal the last while.

Not bad, just different than usual.

Warmer than usual.

At unusual times.

And for unusual lengths of time.

Weeks, in the current state of affairs.

What does this mean for ski touring and finding good snow?

You have to go high and far (where things stay cold for longer).

Which means more time.

That, of course, is fine if you have all day to be out. But if you have a full time job and a family, I think you’ll agree with me time is often in limited supply.

So, keeping your finger on the pulse of current and near future potential favourable conditions turns into a fine art.

L-R: Snow conditions lower down clearly not ideal; Higher up things improve quite a bit as far as snow cover is concerned.

Fortunately, last Saturday morning was just such a moment of potential.

I know the mountain peaks around our house quite well from winter and summer adventures, and given the day’s outlook and forecast - combined with local knowledge - I decided to head up to the Flöschhore on a quick morning ski tour.

A short drive up the valley side across from our house I could park, get ready and be on my way.

Quickly making my way into thinner air and better snow conditions.

L-R: Passing farmer alp huts (not used in winter) on the way up; Looking back down my skin track to the huts.

After passing a couple of friendly small ski touring groups on my way up, I reached the summit, which has 360° views of the valley and surrounds.

L-R: The summit (windblown and icy groundcover clearly visible); The view SE towards the end of our valley (The Simmental) with the Glacier Plaine Morte higher up; The view SW towards the Wildhorn peak.

Windy - with a chill factor - and icy at the top, I decided to first ski down a bit before taking a break.

But first, a quick look towards the higher summit of the Wistätthore behind me to the West.

The Wistätthore ridgeline top of frame, towering over the alp huts below.

Then it was time for a few fun turns, in mostly powder snow (with a quick wave to my fellow ski tourers from earlier still making their way up), back down to the alp huts I skinned past earlier.

Nothing quite like beautiful powder skiing as reward for all the hard work on the way up.

I don’t often take long breaks on solo ski tours, but I took a few moments to appreciate the view and rest the legs on this occasion.

Along with enjoying the sandwiches my wife made for me :).

My picnic spot (and the views) a little way below the summit of the Flöschhore.

Then it was time to head home, with a few more fun couple of sections through the forest.

Here the snowed stayed surprisingly good for the lower alititude (most likely due to the shade from the trees).

Heading down from my picnic spot skiing some thin - but oh so nice - powder.

Lower down, on the last section before reaching the car and just after a stream crossing on foot, the day’s increasing temperature had all but melted the snow (which I skied and skinned on earlier!).

L-R: The stream crossing on foot where it's still very much winter due to the lack of sun reaching it; The field just after the stream crossing putting the "Spring" in Spring skiing.

Back at the car I quickly pulled off my ski boots, slapped on my Fubuki’s, and headed home with a big smile on my face.

Ski touring (and the outdoors in general) tends to have that effect on me!

Just as I was getting going, a fox crossed the road in front of me, seemingly just as content to be wandering about on this Spring like day.

A fox crosses an open field lower down the mountain, spotted as I was heading home.

That’s it for this week, hope you enjoyed a little insight into ski touring around my local mountains.

Do you have any interesting ski touring stories or just stories and / or thoughts to share?

Simply hit reply and let me know / comment below.

Have a great week!

—

Until next time ✌🏽.

Cornelius

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