Schweiz

An analysis of the data on avalanche victims in Switzerland shows: The number of victims in secured terrain has decreased significantly over the last 80 years. In open terrain, it fell after a peak in the 1980s and has remained relatively constant since then - despite more snow sports enthusiasts off-piste.

In a recently published study by the University of Neuchâtel and the SLF (WSL), snow depth data from 11 weather stations in the Swiss Alps were examined. The stations are located in an altitude range between 1139 and 2450 m and the time series go back to 1970. The duration of snow cover has decreased at all 11 stations, whereby the earlier melting of the snow cover in spring is reflected in the statistics.

From Friday, February 19 to Sunday, February 21, the Alpine Splitfest took place for the third time in Kandersteg. As the festival has grown significantly in the last two years, the organizers were forced to move the festival to a new location this time.

The winter of 2014/15 was characterized by an exceptionally snow-poor early winter with correspondingly below-average snow depths. Over the entire winter, snow depths were only just above average above 2200 m and above average on the southern slopes of the Alps. These marked differences in snow depth depending on altitude were caused by above-average temperatures, which repeatedly melted away the snow at medium and low altitudes. With the exception of February, the months of November to March were all too warm, and early winter was record warm in some cases. Despite the excessively warm winter, large parts of the Central Plateau and Jura experienced an average number of snow days thanks to a favorable combination of cold and precipitation. The snow cover build-up was weak in the inner Alps, but also at times on the northern slopes of the Alps, whereas it was much more stable on the southern slopes of the Alps. Compared to the long-term average, last winter was more dangerous. Danger level 3 (considerable) was forecast more than normal, level 2 (moderate) less. Two major avalanche accidents led to an above-average number of avalanche fatalities overall. By April 15, 32 people had died in avalanches.

A look at the map of fatal avalanche accidents in the Swiss Alps over the last 20 years shows that a particularly high number of fatal accidents occurred in Valais and Graubünden (Fig. 1). What is the reason for this increase in accidents? Is touring activity higher in these areas, resulting in more avalanche accidents? Or are there other reasons for the increased risk of avalanche accidents in these regions?

Splitboard tours are great experiences. Compared to the ascent with snowshoes, it is as easy as a feather and you don't have to make any compromises on the descent. However, the requirements differ significantly from ski tours, as flat sections are still a lot of fun on the descent and, depending on the conditions and equipment, you may have a little more trouble on the ascent than on skis. Overall, however, technical development has made a huge leap in recent years and splitboarding has become a serious alternative to ski touring.

Anyone heading south through and over the Gotthard has to pass it: at 3073 m, it is not even particularly high, but at a dizzying 2500 m, it towers majestically over the flat valley floor of the Reuss valley in Uri. This fact alone, in addition to its prominence, beauty of form and steepness, makes it a dream destination. But one that is anything but a gift!

Some classics are well-worn tours that offer nothing more than a prestigious summit. Others are not important summits at all, but offer everything you need for a beautiful tour and have therefore rightly become classics.

After the last real north jam, the powder slats are in and everyone is keen for a repeat, but before everyone goes "all in" like a poker game and pushes their powder chips into the Alps, it should be said that some will lose: The sticking point is the snow line, as it varies greatly from west to east.

"Waist-deep powder snow in Ticino, winter camping in Disentis, sunset in the Laax snow park or steep descents around the Keschhütte. Long Season, Short Stories tells six short stories about what winter means for freeskiers. In addition to lots of skiing and snowboarding action, the film shows brief insights into the "everyday life" of the four main protagonists. The film was made out of passion for sport and art, without any commercial intentions. With over 80% Swiss music, snow and snow sports enthusiasts, the film is not quite "Swissmade", but certainly more local than Argentinian "Bündnerfleisch"."

Where devils and demons wreak havoc in the icy expanses, deep in the crevasses, there is nothing to laugh about. At least that's the story of an old legend from Les Diablerets, according to which the devil himself is said to have turned the blooming alpine meadows of Tsanfleuron into a lifeless desert of ice after a gruesome act by a renegade shepherd.

There are several useful apps for outdoor activities, and the weather app from MeteoSwiss is definitely one of them.