PowderPeople | Célia Lucas, Avalanche Warden at the SLF

Complete the following sentences:

..I had my first contact with snow: From birth, we were always on ski vacations in Lenzerheide in winter. My first time on cross-country skis was when I was 3 years old.

..after work, my favorite thing to do: night ski tours

..my favorite sport is: skiing in winter, in summer I like to go biking

..for me, skiing means: freedom and peace and quiet

..the essentials on a ski tour: good company and safety equipment

..after a ski tour, there's nothing better than: a warm shower

..I can do without: cities

..I secretly dream of: a dog

..I prefer to spend my vacations in: the mountains

..this food makes me weak: chocolate

..this music is my favorite: oldies

..I'm afraid of: climbing, I'm a real scaredy-cat

..in 10 years I'll: still be an avalanche forecaster

PG: What kind of people are the observers?

A very colorful mix. It's often mountain guides, cable car employees, but also farmers or "Grandma Erna" who observe and report the situation for us. In addition to their subjective assessment, the observers also report the measurement data "from their" station or create snow profiles. A measuring station can be a small measuring field in the garden, for example. The challenge is that a report has to be made every day at 7 a.m. in winter. That's why many observers have a stand-in.

PG: Do the reports from man and machine differ?

Humans and machines only sometimes report the same data. In most cases, however, there is a reasonably consistent picture. Both are equally important for the illustration of the bulletin, and the feedback and observations from the field are incorporated into the verification of the bulletin. It is therefore quite possible that the danger level will be corrected in the next bulletin based on feedback from the field. However, we don't tend to make snap decisions based on a report.

PG: The avalanche warning service tends to be male-dominated. How did you find your way into the team as a woman? Do you have to prove yourself as a woman first?

We are 2 women and 6 men in the team. I've been with the team for a year now and have never had the feeling that I had to prove myself. We complement each other wonderfully.

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PG: How did you experience your first winter as an avalanche warden in Davos?

This past winter was special through and through. Of course, because I learned a lot and was in the training phase, but also because there was an avalanche level 5. There was one the year before, but otherwise it's very rare - the last time was 1999. It was exciting, especially in terms of communication. There were a lot of media inquiries and dealing with them all was a challenge.

PG: Let's talk a bit more about you personally. Do you spend a lot of time in the mountains yourself?

Yes, I'm out in the mountains whenever possible.

PG: Where can you be found? In the ski area or on a ski tour?

I prefer to be on a ski tour and enjoy the peace and quiet. That's also how I choose my tours, preferably where not everyone is running up. A good descent and few people on the tour are more important to me than a prominent summit.

PG: Have you ever been in an avalanche yourself?

Unfortunately, no. So I've never triggered an avalanche myself, nor been in an avalanche situation. I've also never had to provide assistance. I hope it stays that way.

PG: You're in close contact with Mrs. Holle. What are your predictions for this winter?

Well, I'd like to have a winter as good as last year. Last year, there was a lot of precipitation in the south first and then only in the north. This year has started again with precipitation in the south. So now I just have to change direction to the north and then I'm optimistic about frequent "PowderAlert" (laughs).

PG: Célia, thank you very much for talking to us.