Italian Alps Backcountry Conditions Report: 50cms Fresh Snow on Passo della Stelvio

by Lorenzo Alesi

After a slow start to the autumn characterized by unusual warmth, with low snowfall across Alpine ski mountains, the first real precipitation dropped 50cm of snow, mainly in South Tyrol, in the Ortler Alps in Alto Adige (Italy) last week. The winter scenery and the good whether conditions have prompted me to take a tour in the area of Madaccio glacier.

The climb, at sunrise from Passo dello Stelvio to Punta degli Spiriti, then down for the long slope to glacier of Madaccio, dominated by Tuckettspitze, skiing on the first powder of the season. There is powder downwind and good conditions for leaving the first tracks.

I then decided to go up to the saddle again, under Punta deli Spiriti. The view of the largest peaks of the Ortler Alps (Ortler, Piccolo Zebrù, Gran Zebrù, Trafoier, Eiswand and Thurwieserspit) at sunset is amazing. I stay on after the sun has gone down, until the sky becomes full of stars. Then down again to the pass to return to base.

Until the next ski trip!!!!