Slope patrol for ski resort Belalp throwing explosives from an Air Zermatt helicopter
KEYSTONE/Dominic Steinmann
This winter has already seen a record number of dynamite-triggered avalanches in the Swiss Alps. The reason is the huge amount of snowfall.
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NZZ am Sonntag/sm
For safety’s sake, Swiss ski resort and security authorities have set off thousands of avalanches this winter – blowing up 120 metric tonnes of explosives so far, reports Sunday newspaper NZZ am Sonntag. In a normal winter, 80-120 tonnes would be sufficient for the whole season.
Since last weekend’s intense snowfall – which caused chaos in many Swiss resorts – there have been about 5,000 explosions around the nation to help clear the surplus of the white stuff.
As Switzerland’s only dynamite dealer told the newspaper, there have been numerous orders for additional dynamite.
Typically, helicopters drop the dynamite onto the areas where snow levels are precarious – resulting in morning quiet pierced by occasional booms, as you can hear in this video clip:
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Massive Swiss snowfall levels buck the trend
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Many Swiss resort towns have recently seen near-record snow levels. But it's an outlier in a years-long trend of declining snowfall totals.
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Roads were closed as a result but the protective galleries on the Matterhorn Railway line ensured rail services were not disrupted at the time. Images courtesy Air Zermatt.
Swiss ski resorts struggle under the weight of snow
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Zermatt has been cut off again since Saturday night, and many of the 9,000 tourists stuck there will have to wait until Monday evening for a chance to leave. Helicopter services out of the resort are heavily subscribed. A ride out of town costs CHF70 ($72.8) per person but poor visibility and high demand have meant a…
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