St Bernard pass, when likely to have snow in September?

[lemenos]

Any thoughts/advice on the latest we should considering planning on walking the St Bernard Pass? We are ok with cold, but snow is another story! When does it start to snow there--usually? thanks!

 

[Former member 91017]

I saw on Efrén Gonzales VF vlog that he was there August 4th 2019 and there was snow. If you mean “fresh snow” I’d think any time in early September is a possibility.

 

[henrythedog]

You’ll certainly see snow but it’s unlikely to be actually snowing in September.

 

[lemenos]

I saw on Efrén Gonzales VF vlog that he was there August 4th 2019 and there was snow. If you mean “fresh snow” I’d think any time in early September is a possibility.

Thanks, mostly concerned about having to tramp thru heavy snow.

 

[lemenos]

You’ll certainly see snow but it’s unlikely to be actually snowing in September.

thanks, so unlikely that the trails will be packed with it?

 

[henrythedog]

thanks, so unlikely that the trails will be packed with it?

Yes, especially given the current temperatures in Europe.

 

[gerardcarey]

I'm not renowned for bright ideas.
But this one was a doozy.
I picked up the phone here in Australia and telephoned the Priests at the Hospice up on top of the Pass.
I'd suggest you do the same.
They are an absolute fountain of information and advice.
So away I went.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/to-the-top-of-the-pass.67382/

Regards
Gerard

 

[Kathar1na]

Any thoughts/advice on the latest we should considering planning on walking the St Bernard Pass? We are ok with cold, but snow is another story! When does it start to snow there--usually? thanks!

Snow can fall at any time in the Alps during July to September at this altitude (2500 m).

Last year, 27 September 2020, was more unusual because of the quantity of snow: 30 cm at 2500 m. Unheard of since 2007 at this time of the year. And another quote: This quantity of snow has been seen in the past in September, but it is still [rare enough to be] remarkable. BTW, note the "still rare enough" - we are told that climate change will bring us both higher temperatures, draughts, more melting of Alpine glaciers and more extreme rain and snowfall. See Snow has fallen in the Alps and Pyrenees very early this year [2020], with temperatures dropping significantly and “remarkable” amounts of snow forcing some roads to close, and many other sources saying that numerous Alpine pass roads had to be closed including St Bernard.

But usually, September is regarded as a good month for mountain walking in the Alps.

@timr wrote some excellent comments: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...e-to-crossing-the-great-st-bernard-pass.59812

 

[Siegfried]

Hi

Of course everthing is possible.

But it is very unlikely to have consistant snowing in September.
September is the most preferred hiking season.

have Fun
Siegfried

i live nearby this area.

 

[lt56ny]

Hi

Of course everthing is possible.

But it is very unlikely to have consistant snowing in September.
September is the most preferred hiking season.

have Fun
Siegfried

i live nearby this area.

This is what we call in the States, when you are playing golf on a new course and you ask someone who has played the course before and knows - "local knowledge". The best advice you can get!

 

[Kathar1na]

Luckily, one doesn't need a whole month of ok weather, only two days or so ...

From last year's blog of the Swiss Friends of the St Bernard Hospice https://www.amishospice.ch:
(Click to enlarge)

 

[Corley60]

Any thoughts/advice on the latest we should considering planning on walking the St Bernard Pass? We are ok with cold, but snow is another story! When does it start to snow there--usually? thanks!

We climbed the Alps through the pass on the Via Francigena mid August 2019. There was snow at the pass but nothing new. After starting down the Italy side we had a cold rain with hail making the trail very slippery. We were happy to have gone through the pass when we did.

 

[Eugene Carroll]

Any thoughts/advice on the latest we should considering planning on walking the St Bernard Pass? We are ok with cold, but snow is another story! When does it start to snow there--usually? thanks!

I crossed at the end of September. The St Bernard dogs are usually up at the Pass until the beginning of October. There was a bit of snow on the ground and a blue sky. I was very fortunate

 

[cbacino]

Any thoughts/advice on the latest we should considering planning on walking the St Bernard Pass? We are ok with cold, but snow is another story! When does it start to snow there--usually? thanks!

Locals told me to cross it by mid-September. I crossed September 7, 2018. Three days later it snowed on the pass for a week.

 

[Former member 62607]

If there is snow but not too much you can borrow snowshoes at bourg st pierre i believe and then send them back via the bus that goes. See @timr for a lot of info on walking the pass. We went over mid june when it had just opened, still snow on some bits of path which we traversed safely in boots, using poles, but walked final part on the road as too much snow right at the top. The bits we walked across were dodgy , if we had slipped we would have gone some way down. I guess the same applies in september. Not sure if fresh snow more dangerous than melting snow. Best advice is to contact the hospice as gerald carey suggests above.

 

[lemenos]

I'm not renowned for bright ideas.
But this one was a doozy.
I picked up the phone here in Australia and telephoned the Priests at the Hospice up on top of the Pass.
I'd suggest you do the same.
They are an absolute fountain of information and advice.
So away I went.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/to-the-top-of-the-pass.67382/

Regards
Gerard

nice. what did they say?