Skiers heading to the northern mountains or Norwegian peaks should remain cautious about avalanche risks, which, although currently moderate, can still pose dangers due to weak old snow layers.
As the ski holidays start in southern Finland, many skiers are heading to the northern mountains or the Norwegian ranges. Despite the overall calm snow conditions reported, avalanche risks should not be overlooked, warns Juuso Paajanen, head of the northern aviation weather group at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. He highlights that old, weak snow layers can create hazardous situations in natural slopes. Currently, the snow situation has been stable for some time, with consistent cold weather and weak winds, meaning little new snow accumulation has occurred. Despite this stability, the risk of slab avalanches remains present, particularly on ungroomed and steep slopes.
Paajanen elaborates that the danger comes from slab avalanches, where a continuous hard snow slab slides over a weak layer of snow. This type of avalanche is particularly insidious as it is known to cause the most fatalities worldwide. In Finland's mountains, the current risk of avalanches is mainly low to moderate. However, in specific areas such as Kilpisjärvi, Ounastunturi, Pallas, Saariselkä, and the Ylläs-Levi region, the risk is more pronounced, raising alerts for those venturing into these more treacherous terrains.
For winter sports enthusiasts, it's crucial to remain informed and prepared regarding avalanche risks, especially when exploring areas that haven't been groomed. Skiers should take proper precautions and consider safety measures while enjoying the scenic landscapes of Finnish and Norwegian mountains. As the holiday ski season kicks off, awareness and caution may help prevent potential accidents in the backcountry.
