Training for avalanche warning commissions

GeoSphere Austria, in cooperation with the province of Salzburg, is holding a training course for members of avalanche warning commissions on the Kitzsteinhorn from 28 to 30 November 2024.

"The content of the training includes interpreting meteorological data for avalanche danger, carrying out and evaluating snowpack investigations with snow profiles and stability tests as well as the correct behaviour during helicopter operations," explains Michael Butschek, Head of the GeoSphere Austria Regional Office Salzburg/Upper Austria and Head of the Salzburg Avalanche Warning Centre.

In Salzburg alone, there are 960 members of avalanche warning commissions who take on a responsible task every winter on a voluntary basis and as part of their professional activities (employees of mountain railway companies). They assess the current avalanche danger in their region, evaluate the safety of settlements, pistes, cross-country ski trails, hiking and transport routes and recommend measures such as avalanche blasting or closures to the local authorities responsible for safety.

"The members of the avalanche warning commissions receive solid training from experts, divided into a basic course and an advanced training course, and take responsibility for their region with their experience and local knowledge," says Alexander Schweiger, who is responsible for the avalanche warning service on behalf of the province of Salzburg.

The regional avalanche warning commissions also provide valuable information from their areas of responsibility for the daily avalanche reports of the federal provinces.

"The interaction between the current regional expertise of the avalanche warning commissions, civil protection and the Geosphere Austria avalanche warning team is very important and productive,’ says Michael Butschek from GeoSphere Austria, ’all the available information is used to create a daily avalanche report that is available to everyone free of charge and should definitely be read before every ski tour or freeride activity."

In the winter of 2023/24, 14 people died and 41 were injured in avalanches in Austria. "Many accidents could have been avoided with good preparation and careful planning," says Butschek, "most accidents occurred at danger levels 2 and 3. There were two avalanche fatalities at danger level 4 on the 5-point warning scale. Especially when the sun shines again after snowfall, people are often unaware of the danger."

GeoSphere Austria operates the avalanche warning services for Salzburg, Styria, Lower Austria and the Niederösterreichische Landesbahnen (NÖVOG) on behalf of the respective federal states. There is close co-operation with the other avalanche warning services in Austria with regard to weather data, forecasts and warnings.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)