Chartreuse
Low Bulletin date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 04:00 PM
Valid until:
Ski resorts in this massif: Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, Col de Porte, Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet (Les Petites Roches), Col de Marcieu, Le Granier
This is an AI-generated translation and summary. It may contain errors. Always read the full official Météo-France avalanche bulletin before any mountain activity.
Source: Météo-France
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Avalanche risk assessment bulletin
(valid outside of marked and open slopes)
MASSIF: Chartreuse
written on Saturday, 25 April 2026 at 4 p.m.
Risk assessment for Sunday, 26 April 2026
VERY DENSE SNOW COVER, STABLE..
Risk indices: 5 very high - 4 high - 3 considerable - 2 moderate - 1 low -- In black: the most dangerous slopes
Risk index low.
Naturally triggered avalanche: Unlikely.
Skier-triggered release: Unlikely. Pay attention in the morning to surfaces hardened by refreezing.
Stability of the snow cover until Sunday, 26 April evening
Typical avalanche situation:
No predominant avalanche situation
Less and less snow on the ground and very dense, almost firn, so stable even when it is wet during the day... Naturally triggered avalanche: Unlikely, or very rare wet sluff on very steep slopes. Note also that some night-time refreezing is possible on Sunday morning. Skier-triggered release: Unlikely, or very rarely under skis in wet snow on a warmed slope. Other: Surfaces temporarily hardened in case of night-time refreezing, which may be slippery.
Snow quality
Snow conditions description: Snow conditions have greatly reduced over the past 3 weeks and are becoming below average for the season. In the South only a few rare patches of firn remain... the end of the season is approaching.
Skiable limits: Around 1500 to 1900m depending on the aspect, the steepness of the slope...
Snow quality on Sunday: Spring-like snow cover. Medium to good night-time refreezing. During the day, wetting and melting resumes. Very wet snow, but dense.
Weather overview for Sunday, 26 April
| night | morning | afternoon | evening | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  | |
| Sun, sometimes veiled. A few isolated cumulus clouds in the afternoon. | ||||
| Rain-Snow | - | - | - | - |
| Iso 0°C | 3100 m | 3300 m | 3200 m | 3200 m |
| Wind 1500 m | 10 km/h | 15 km/h | 10 km/h | 10 km/h |
| Wind 2000 m | 15 km/h | 20 km/h | 15 km/h | 10 km/h |
Off-piste snow depth
Precipitation at 1800 m
Outlook for Monday, 27 April
Low risk index
Monday, the risk will change little. A bit of overnight refreezing again, then continued wetting and melting.
Snow-weather conditions for the last 7 days
Last 7 days
| Sun. 19/04 | Mon. 20/04 | Tue. 21/04 | Wed. 22/04 | Thu. 23/04 | Fri. 24/04 | Sat. 25/04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | |
| Weather |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | | |  | |
| Wind (km/h) at 2000m | 10 | 10 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 10 |
| Wind (km/h) at 1500m | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 |
Iso 0°CRain-snow limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Altitude (m) 3200 2400 1600 800 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sun. 19/04 | Mon. 20/04 | Tue. 21/04 | Wed. 22/04 | Thu. 23/04 | Fri. 24/04 | Sat. 25/04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresh snow (6h) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Avalanche Risk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow cover North and South at 1500m··· 2000m- - - 2500m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total snow depth (cm) 200 160 120 80 40 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sun. 19/04 | Mon. 20/04 | Tue. 21/04 | Wed. 22/04 | Thu. 23/04 | Fri. 24/04 | Sat. 25/04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow limit - North face Snow limit - South face | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow limit (m) 2400 2100 1800 1500 1200 900 600 300 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sun. 19/04 | Mon. 20/04 | Tue. 21/04 | Wed. 22/04 | Thu. 23/04 | Fri. 24/04 | Sat. 25/04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iso 0°C | RSL | Weather at 1800m |
Wind at 1500m |
Wind at 2000m |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun. 19/04 | 03h | 2 800 | - | | 10 | 10 |
| 09h | 2 900 | 2 700 | | 15 | 10 | |
| 15h | 2 800 | - | | 20 | 25 | |
| 21h | 2 800 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| Mon. 20/04 | 03h | 2 800 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 2 700 | - | | 15 | 10 | |
| 15h | 2 700 | - | | 20 | 10 | |
| 21h | 2 700 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| Tue. 21/04 | 03h | 2 700 | - | | 10 | 10 |
| 09h | 2 700 | - | | 15 | 5 | |
| 15h | 2 800 | - | | 20 | 10 | |
| 21h | 2 900 | - | | 10 | 10 | |
| Wed. 22/04 | 03h | 2 800 | - | | 10 | 10 |
| 09h | 2 800 | - | | 15 | 15 | |
| 15h | 2 700 | - | | 20 | 10 | |
| 21h | 2 700 | - | | 10 | 5 | |
| Thu. 23/04 | 03h | 2 600 | - | | 10 | 5 |
| 09h | 2 700 | - | | 15 | 15 | |
| 15h | 2 900 | - | | 15 | 10 | |
| 21h | 3 100 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| Fri. 24/04 | 03h | 3 100 | - | | 10 | 10 |
| 09h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 5 | |
| 15h | 3 300 | - | | 15 | 5 | |
| 21h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 10 | |
| Sat. 25/04 | 03h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 15 |
| 09h | 2 900 | - | | 15 | 15 | |
| 15h | 3 000 | - | | 20 | 20 | |
| 21h | 3 000 | - | | 10 | 10 | |
| Avalanche risk |
Snow limit | Snow depth at 2000m |
Fresh snow at 1800m |
|||
| Sun. 19/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 155 cm S : 55 cm | 1 cm | |||
| Mon. 20/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 150 cm S : 50 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Tue. 21/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 145 cm S : 40 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Wed. 22/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 140 cm S : 35 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Thu. 23/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 140 cm S : 35 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Fri. 24/04 | N : 1 500 m S : 1 900 m | N : 135 cm S : 25 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Sat. 25/04 | N : 1 500 m S : 1 900 m | N : 130 cm S : 15 cm | ||||
| French | Translation & Notes |
|---|---|
| MANTEAU NEIGEUX TRES DENSE, STABLE.. | VERY DENSE, STABLE SNOWPACK.. *Manteau neigeux* is the standard term for 'snowpack' (literally 'snowy coat'). *Dense* and *stable* are cognates, indicating high density and high stability. |
| De moins en moins de neige en place et très dense, presque de névé, donc stable même lorsqu'elle est humide en journée... | Less and less snow in place and very dense, almost like firn (névé), therefore stable even when it is wet during the day... *De moins en moins* means 'less and less'. *Névé* refers to old, multi-year snow or very compressed, icy spring snow (firn). *Humide* means 'wet' or 'moist', a key term for spring avalanche cycles. |
| Départs spontanés : Peu probables, ou très rare coulée humide en pente bien raide. | Spontaneous releases: Unlikely, or a very rare wet sluff in a very steep slope. *Départs spontanés* refers to natural avalanches. *Peu probables* (unlikely) corresponds to the Low risk level. *Coulée* is often used for small sluffs or loose snow slides. *Bien raide* translates to 'very steep'. |
| Noter aussi un peu de regel nocturne possible dimanche matin. | Note also a slight overnight refreeze possible Sunday morning. *Regel nocturne* is a critical spring term referring to the snow freezing again at night, which helps stabilize the pack. |
| Déclenchements provoqués : Peu probables, ou de manière très rare sous les skis en neige humide dans une pente réchauffée. | Triggered releases: Unlikely, or very rarely under skis in wet snow on a warmed slope. *Déclenchements provoqués* means human-triggered avalanches. *Pente réchauffée* refers to a slope that has been warmed by solar radiation or rising temperatures. |
| Autres : Surfaces temporairement durcies en cas de regel nocturne, pouvant être glissantes. | Others: Surfaces temporarily hardened in case of an overnight refreeze, which can be slippery. *Durcies* means 'hardened'. *Glissantes* (slippery) highlights a secondary hazard: the danger of a long fall on hard, frozen snow before it softens. |
| Soleil parfois voilé. | Sun, sometimes veiled. *Voilé* describes thin high-altitude clouds (cirrus) that 'veil' the sun but often still allow solar radiation to affect the snow. |
| Quelques cumulus isolés l'après-midi. | A few isolated cumulus clouds in the afternoon. *Cumulus* refers to the puffy white clouds that often form over peaks in the spring/summer due to convection. |
| Qualification de l’enneigement : L'enneigement s'est fortement réduit depuis 3 semaines et devient déficitaire pour la saison. | Snow cover assessment: The snowpack has significantly reduced over the last 3 weeks and is becoming a deficit for the season. *Enneigement* refers to the overall snow conditions/coverage. *Déficitaire* means there is less snow than the historical average for this time of year. |
| Au Sud il ne reste plus que de rares névés... la fin de saison approche. | On Southern aspects, only a few rare snow patches (névés) remain... the end of the season is approaching. *Il ne reste plus que* means 'only... remains'. In this context, *névés* refers to isolated patches of snow rather than continuous cover. |
| Limites skiables : Vers 1500 à 1900m environ suivant l'exposition, la raideur de la pente... | Skiable limits: Around 1500 to 1900m approximately, depending on the aspect, the steepness of the slope... *Exposition* is the French term for 'aspect' (N, S, E, W). *Raideur* means 'steepness'. |
| Qualité de la neige dimanche : Manteau neigeux printanier. | Snow quality on Sunday: Spring snowpack. *Printanier* (from *printemps* / spring) describes a snowpack undergoing daily melt-freeze cycles. |
| Regel nocturne moyen à correct. | Average to decent overnight refreeze. *Moyen* (average) and *correct* (decent/satisfactory) indicate that the surface crust should be strong enough to walk or ski on early in the morning. |
| En journée reprise de l'humidification et de la fonte. | During the day, resumption of wetting and melting. *Humidification* refers to water percolating through the snow. *Fonte* is the noun for 'melting'. |
| Neige très humide, mais dense. | Very wet snow, but dense. *Humide* indicates high water content. The fact that it is *dense* is a positive sign for stability, as it is less likely to flow like a liquid (as seen in slush flows). |
| French Term | English Term | Definition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Départ spontané | Naturally triggered avalanche | Avalanche not caused by external forces, e.g. snowfall or loss in firmness due to weather conditions. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| déclenchable | Skier-triggered release | An avalanche caused by the weight of a person (skier, snowboarder, hiker) or by explosives. The additional load collapses a weak layer, causing the slab above to fracture and slide. | AvalancheClarity Static Glossary |
| Enneigement | Snow conditions | The depth and distribution of snow on the ground across a mountain range. Varies with elevation, aspect, and snowfall history. | AvalancheClarity Static Glossary |
| marqué | considerable | Snowpack is moderately to poorly bonded on many steep slopes. Triggering is possible even from low additional loads, particularly on indicated steep slopes. In certain situations, some large natural avalanches are possible. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Pente raide | Steep slopes | Slopes steeper than approximately 30°, where most slab avalanches occur. The steeper the slope, the lower the additional load needed to trigger a release. | AvalancheClarity Static Glossary |
| Regel | Refreezing | Overnight freezing of the snow surface forming a hard crust. Refreezing temporarily stabilises the snowpack but strength decreases with daytime warming. | AvalancheClarity Static Glossary |
| Manteau neigeux | Snow cover | Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Hauteur de neige | Snow depth | Thickness of the snowpack measured vertically. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Très pentu | Very steep | Quite unfavourable slope with regard to angle (steeper than 40 degrees), terrain profile, proximity to ridge, smoothness of underlying ground surface. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Stabilité | Stability | The strength of a snowpack to withstand internal and external disturbances.Stability is determined by firmness vs. stress inside a snow layer. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| très fort | very high | Snowpack is generally unstable. Many large natural avalanches are expected, even on moderately steep terrain. Extremely dangerous conditions — avoid all avalanche terrain. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Neige humide | Wet snow | The wet snow problem is related to the weakening of the snowpack due to the presence of liquid water. Water infiltrates the snowpack due to high radiation impact (sunshine) which leads to melt or rain (advecting energy into the snowpack leading to melt as well). | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| limité | moderate | Snowpack is moderately well bonded on some steep slopes, otherwise generally well bonded. Triggering is possible with high additional loads, particularly on indicated steep slopes. Large natural avalanches unlikely. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| mouillée | very wet | IACS/UNESCO | |
| Exposition | Aspect | Direction in which a slope faces as indicated by compass direction of the fall line; i.e. a north slope faces in a northerly direction. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| moyen | medium | IACS/UNESCO | |
| Coulée | Sluff | A small downhill movement of snow. | American Meteorological Society |
| Névé | Firn | Snow accumulated in recent years, mostly atop glaciers, intensely metamorphosed and denser because of melting and refreezing, as well as from pressures of overlying snow masses. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Risque | Risk | Likelihood of occurrence combines mathematical probability, risk exposure and possible damages. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| faible | low | Snowpack is generally well bonded and stable. Triggering is generally possible only from high additional loads in a few isolated steep extreme terrain features. Only small natural avalanches possible. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
Bulletin d'estimation du risque d'avalanche
(valable en dehors des pistes balisées et ouvertes)
MASSIF : Chartreuse
rédigé le samedi 25 avril 2026 à 16 h.
Estimation des risques pour le dimanche 26 avril 2026
MANTEAU NEIGEUX TRES DENSE, STABLE..
Indices de risque : 5 très fort - 4 fort - 3 marqué - 2 limité - 1 faible -- En noir : les pentes les plus dangereuses
Indice de risque faible.
Départs spontanés : Peu probables.
Déclenchements skieurs : Peu probables. Attention le matin aux surfaces durcies par regel.
Stabilité du manteau neigeux jusqu'au dimanche 26 avril au soir
Situation avalancheuse typique :Pas de situation avalancheuse prédominante
De moins en moins de neige en place et très dense, presque de névé, donc stable même lorsqu'elle est humide en journée... Départs spontanés : Peu probables, ou très rare coulée humide en pente bien raide. Noter aussi un peu de regel nocturne possible dimanche matin. Déclenchements provoqués : Peu probables, ou de manière très rare sous les skis en neige humide dans une pente réchauffée. Autres : Surfaces temporairement durcies en cas de regel nocturne, pouvant être glissantes.
Qualité de la neige
Qualification de l’enneigement : L'enneigement s'est fortement réduit depuis 3 semaines et devient déficitaire pour la saison. Au Sud il ne reste plus que de rares névés... la fin de saison approche.
Limites skiables : Vers 1500 à 1900m environ suivant l'exposition, la raideur de la pente...
Qualité de la neige dimanche : Manteau neigeux printanier. Regel nocturne moyen à correct. En journée reprise de l'humidification et de la fonte. Neige très humide, mais dense.
Aperçu météo pour le dimanche 26 avril
| nuit | matin | après-midi | soir | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Soleil parfois voilé. Quelques cumulus isolés l'après-midi. | ||||
| Pluie-Neige | - | - | - | - |
| Iso 0°C | 3100 m | 3300 m | 3200 m | 3200 m |
| Vent 1500 m | 10 km/h | 15 km/h | 10 km/h | 10 km/h |
| Vent 2000 m | 15 km/h | 20 km/h | 15 km/h | 10 km/h |
Epaisseur de neige hors-piste
Précipitations à 1800 m
Tendance du lundi 27 avril
Indice de risque faible
Lundi, le risque évolue peu. A nouveau un peu de regel nocturne, puis poursuite de l'humidification et de la fonte.
Conditions nivo-météo des 7 derniers jours
Les 7 derniers jours
| dim. 19/04 | lun. 20/04 | mar. 21/04 | mer. 22/04 | jeu. 23/04 | ven. 24/04 | sam. 25/04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | |
| Météo | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Vent (km/h) à 2000m | 10 | 10 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 10 |
| Vent (km/h) à 1500m | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 |
Iso 0°CLimite pluie-neige | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Altitude en m 3200 2400 1600 800 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| dim. 19/04 | lun. 20/04 | mar. 21/04 | mer. 22/04 | jeu. 23/04 | ven. 24/04 | sam. 25/04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Neige fraîche (6h) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Risque d'Avalanche | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enneigement versant Nord et Sud à 1500m··· 2000m- - - 2500m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hauteur totale de neige (cm) 200 160 120 80 40 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| dim. 19/04 | lun. 20/04 | mar. 21/04 | mer. 22/04 | jeu. 23/04 | ven. 24/04 | sam. 25/04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Limite de l'enneigement - Versant Nord Limite de l'enneigement - Versant Sud | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Limite d'enneigement (m) 2400 2100 1800 1500 1200 900 600 300 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| dim. 19/04 | lun. 20/04 | mar. 21/04 | mer. 22/04 | jeu. 23/04 | ven. 24/04 | sam. 25/04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iso 0°C | LPN | Météo à 1800m |
Vent à 1500m |
Vent à 2000m |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dim. 19/04 | 03h | 2 800 | - | | 10 | 10 |
| 09h | 2 900 | 2 700 | | 15 | 10 | |
| 15h | 2 800 | - | | 20 | 25 | |
| 21h | 2 800 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| lun. 20/04 | 03h | 2 800 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 2 700 | - | | 15 | 10 | |
| 15h | 2 700 | - | | 20 | 10 | |
| 21h | 2 700 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| mar. 21/04 | 03h | 2 700 | - | | 10 | 10 |
| 09h | 2 700 | - | | 15 | 5 | |
| 15h | 2 800 | - | | 20 | 10 | |
| 21h | 2 900 | - | | 10 | 10 | |
| mer. 22/04 | 03h | 2 800 | - | | 10 | 10 |
| 09h | 2 800 | - | | 15 | 15 | |
| 15h | 2 700 | - | | 20 | 10 | |
| 21h | 2 700 | - | | 10 | 5 | |
| jeu. 23/04 | 03h | 2 600 | - | | 10 | 5 |
| 09h | 2 700 | - | | 15 | 15 | |
| 15h | 2 900 | - | | 15 | 10 | |
| 21h | 3 100 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| ven. 24/04 | 03h | 3 100 | - | | 10 | 10 |
| 09h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 5 | |
| 15h | 3 300 | - | | 15 | 5 | |
| 21h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 10 | |
| sam. 25/04 | 03h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 15 |
| 09h | 2 900 | - | | 15 | 15 | |
| 15h | 3 000 | - | | 20 | 20 | |
| 21h | 3 000 | - | | 10 | 10 | |
| Risque avalanche |
Limite enneigement | Enneigement à 2000m |
Neige fraîche à 1800m |
|||
| dim. 19/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 155 cm S : 55 cm | 1 cm | |||
| lun. 20/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 150 cm S : 50 cm | 0 cm | |||
| mar. 21/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 145 cm S : 40 cm | 0 cm | |||
| mer. 22/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 140 cm S : 35 cm | 0 cm | |||
| jeu. 23/04 | N : 1 400 m S : 1 800 m | N : 140 cm S : 35 cm | 0 cm | |||
| ven. 24/04 | N : 1 500 m S : 1 900 m | N : 135 cm S : 25 cm | 0 cm | |||
| sam. 25/04 | N : 1 500 m S : 1 900 m | N : 130 cm S : 15 cm | ||||