Mythen, CH 03/08/16: Storm Day

jamesdeluxe

Administrator
Until last summer, I had no idea that the Mythen (pronounced MEE ten) region even existed, but I read several trip reports on Alpinforum that talked it up as an insider tip -- that it was a) way more extensive than you'd ever guess from looking at the trail map, b) like something from your ski childhood: uphill transport was predominantly via t-bars, c) it was cheaper than most places in Switzerland, d) had a total "your own private ski area" vibe, and e) got a fair amount of snow.

mythenregion_pistebig.jpg


mythen2.JPG


Even through the previous evening, the forecast for overnight snow called for little more than a dusting: 3-5 inches. However, Fraser Wilkin mentioned that this was "one of those annoying (to forecasters) faintly unstable airflows that can swing either way." It certainly did -- we ended up with 12-16 inches. He also pointed out that moist northerly airflows are purged of their moisture by the Mythen range, which gives it comparatively a high seasonal snowfall average: typically 7-9 meters at 1800m compared to 3.5 meters in St Moritz. St Moritz, however, preserves its snow better, hardly gets any mid-winter rain, and does far better with mild spells. It's similar to the difference between the Portes du Soleil (high snowfall/low elevation) and Val d'Isere (less than half the snowfall but excellent preservation).

I booked a room at a small, reasonably-priced hotel right at the base of the ski area, and this morning there were a total of six cars in the parking lot across the street at 9 am on a powder day! Alta/Snowbird, this ain't:
001 (Copy).JPG


First chair, I mean t-bar:
002 (Copy).JPG


The next four hours were a blur with snow anywhere from calf- to thigh-deep, no wind, and occasionally tough visual orientation due to the driving snow and intermittent fog. The terrain was mostly blue or double-blue in pitch, like a massive Grand Targhee.
011 (Copy).JPG


014a (Copy).JPG


005 (Copy).JPG


007 (Copy).JPG


017 (Copy).JPG


A couple shots of me:
021 (Copy).JPG


022 (Copy).JPG


Zero competition for untracked:
023 (Copy).JPG


027 (Copy).JPG


018 (Copy).JPG


019 (Copy).JPG


Here's a guy getting ready to launch off a boulder:
008 (Copy).JPG


And landing in a powder cloud as his friends watch:
009 (Copy).JPG


By noon, it was getting nuts. I had my first white-room experience in a while: ten consecutive turns on a steeper pitch while being completely enveloped by spray.

Later in the day: a couple barns, one to sell tickets, the other a lift shack:
030 (Copy).JPG


As I approached, there was the unmistakable smell of wood being sawed. I dig the pipe, as if it had been staged by the Switzerland Tourism Bureau:
031 (Copy).JPG
 
Last edited:
James truly leads a charmed life in the Alps. Peak elevation of 1,800 meters are not what most people would recommend for March in the Alps. In this case it favored James because he actually had visibility below tree line on a cold storm day.

jamesdeluxe":geucw50d said:
He also pointed out that moist northerly airflows are purged of their moisture by the Mythen range, which gives it comparatively a high seasonal snowfall average: typically 7-9 meters at 1800m compared to 3.5 meters in St Moritz.
Somewhat misleading since 1,800 is the top of Mythen but near the base at St. Moritz.

jamesdeluxe":geucw50d said:
St Moritz, however, preserves its snow better, hardly gets any mid-winter rain, and does far better with mild spells.
The classic "Colorado" profile.

jamesdeluxe":geucw50d said:
It's similar to the difference between the Portes du Soleil (high snowfall/low elevation) and Val d'Isere (less than half the snowfall but excellent preservation).
Again, Val d'Isere's data is from its 1,850 base with skiing going up to 3,400. Avoriaz at 1,600 is mid-mountain within Portes du Soleil ski terrain.
 
Tony Crocker":3fdqfszd said:
James truly leads a charmed life in the Alps. Peak elevation of 1,800 meters are not what most people would recommend for March in the Alps. In this case it favored James because he actually had visibility below tree line on a cold storm day.
I could've cancelled my hotel reservation up to three days before arrival without penalty and moved my base of operations to higher ski areas 45 minutes south (Andermatt, Obersaxen, etc.). I was carefully monitoring the weather forecast before my departure and it became clear that I'd be getting midwinter temps along with a couple snow events during my stay.

Charmed?

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance 8)
 
For over ten years I have been following James's Euro trips..If memory serves, they have all been perfect. Except the one with the busted leg. Even that looked good..

I wouldn't second guess James's resort choices, domestic or foreign..
 
Flexibility raises one's rate of success considerably. I'm not surprised James had a contingency plan. So I guess the question is: How many times has James had to exercise a contingency plan?
 
Tony Crocker":71pmzbqw said:
How many times has James had to exercise a contingency plan?
The only time in recent memory was the late January visit to Savoie, when it rained one day pretty much everywhere in the Alps except at the highest elevations and had been forecast more than a week in advance. My contingency plan was drinking beer in a Châtel pub.
 
Back
Top