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Avalanche Control


Controlled avalanches are triggered by explosive
charges thrown into known avalanche zones.

An avalanche is a slide of snow, or other material, down a mountainside. Snow will slide, or avalanche, when the snow strength can no longer support its own weight. Avalanches occur when bonds between snow crystals weaken, or the bonds are no longer strong enough to hold the weight of snow that has accumulated above it.

Avalanche control is the intentional triggering of avalanches. These pre-emptive programs produce more frequent, but smaller avalanches at controlled periods of time, when people can be cleared away to a safe distance.

Avalanche control is performed all over the world above highways, ski-resorts, railroads, mining operations, utility companies and at any operation, or activity that may be threatened by avalanches.



Avalanche control is an intentional
triggering of avalanches to prevent
fatal disasters such as a car or truck
being buried by snow.

Controlled avalanches are triggered by explosives charges that are thrown on avalanche starting zones. Charges are delivered by launchers, thrown out of helicopters, or delivered above the avalanche starting zones by an avalanche control expert on skis.

This avalanche control expert is throwing a charge at a cornice (overhanging snow caused by winds). If the cornice falls, it can cause an avalanche. The avalanche control expert is out of harms way standing on a soft slab of snow that was released by a previous controlled avalanche.

Avalanche control experts are skilled in both mountain safety and explosives use. Because avalanches tend to occur in the same zones and under certain conditions, avalanche experts can predict when avalanches are likely to occur. Experts then can intentionally trigger the avalanche early, when they are certain that people are not in the area, or while roads are closed, to prevent potentially fatal accidents.

Next time you are at a ski resort and hear a big BOOM, you will know that the avalanche control experts are clearing the way for an exceptional and safe powder day!