Conditions

With snow still lying on most of the mountain, although there have been changes and developments in the nature of the snow on the path, on the Llanberis path today the nature of the difficulties seen were broadly similar.

On the way up the Llanberis path today the walking was initially relatively easy with only thin new snow initially, with a little new snow on top of firmer but thawing snow slightly higher up. From about 500m this firmer snow was cooler and wasn't thawing this morning.

Traveling higher on the mountain there was a greater variety of conditions with deep snow drifts in some places, a little new snow on top of a more icy snow elsewhere and soft snow with a crust of icy snow in many places high on the mountain.

There was extensive evidence of drifted snow on steep edges sheltered from the wind, but also on some slopes facing the wind in hollows, and where there was a change in the slope angle, with some areas of a soft windslab on slopes facing the wind seen on low angled slopes (where it was not a problem on these slopes, but which suggests it may also exist on other slopes where it may be more of an issue).

There were a number of specific dangers similar to the previous report.

The section of the Llanberis path which crosses above Cwm Hetiau above Clogwyn station (after going under the railway bridge) was heavy with snow, with the path narrow and steep for a period. More snow has built up here, with a significant proportion of the fence on the path completely buried. An alternative route was traveled here today (and Tuesday) to avoid the danger, rather than the usual route, before joining the usual path once past the problem area.

Above Allt Goch there were large areas where the path was banked out with snow, with slopes below the path also under snow, and parts of the railway below also banked out. Although there was still some soft snow, it was lying on top of icy snow, and is resembling circumstances that have caused fatal accidents in this area in the past. This danger may increase as the surface of this snow is hardens in the days to come.

Above Allt Goch There were also areas of snow that were completely white, with no stones or other features reaching the surface of the snow. This meant periods of walking the 'path' with no visible features at all to follow in the fog and blizzards, relying entierly on navigation techniques was necessary to travel on the mountain. Similar circumstances may exist in the days to come.

At Bwlch Glas there was evidence of a significant drifting. Although the features could not be fully observed due to poor visibility at the time, a significant Cornice appears to be developing here where the Pyg and Miners routes climb to the bwlch, which has grown larger since the previous report. It is necessary to travel through these drifts and  potential cornice to reach Bwlch Glas on the Pyg and the Miners'paths, and similar cornices are likely to exist along adjacent edges above a longer section of these routes.

A cloudy and foggy day, but surprisingly dry, with moderate winds. There were a few showers later in the day falling as snow (partially thawed and re -frozen) even low on the mountain.

On the way down the snow was thawing gradually below 700m.

Essential Equipment

Suitable seasonal walking equipment, including lights (such as headtorch or two).

Carrying ice axe and mountaineering crampons will offer safer options on the mountain.

Carrying goggles (such as ski goggles) will offer a means of protecting the eyes from winds and drifting snow to see more easily to travel more safely on the mountain.

Additional information
On Friday of the report the forecasts suggest that the temperature at the summit will initially be below the freezing, but will rise quickly above freezing during Sunday. The temperature at the summit is forecast to be as low as -4ºC (feeling as it is as low as -12ºC at times). It will also feel very cold in the strong wind and rain from Sunday, when the temperature has risen.

Precipitation is also forecast at times, with snow likely overnight tonight (Friday), and rain likely Sunday (and at times after).

This means that winter conditions on the mountain will continue to develop till Saturday, with some thawing lower on the mountain. After this there will be a significant and sudden change in conditions on the mountain.

While any avalanche risk prediction is beyond the scope of this report and although there are dangers already on some slopes on the mountain, there are strong signs for a period of significant snow instability during Sunday 11-1-2026:
Significant snow lies widely on the mountain, with deep drifts in some places.

Temperatures are predicted to rise significantly during the day.
There is a forecast for significant periods of rain during the day, which will cause strong thawing.
There is a forecast for a strong southerly wind that will also add to the thawing.

These rapid changes will create unusual dangers through this thaw period. Avalanches usually tend to occur on slopes between about 30˚ and 45˚, but I've seen slides on much less steep slopes than this when water flows under a layer of snow.

See the information at the end of the full report after the photos for more information.

After this thaw it is likely that there will be much less snow lying on the mountain, but some snow may persist in some places, and you should still be prepared to encounter snow on the mountain, although there will be no sign of this snow when starting from the bottom