history Beginnings of Snow and Avalanche Research and the SLF

Ever since man first occupied the Alps, avalanches have posed a threat. For centuries, it was primarily the inhabitants of the mountains who were affected, together with their cattle and dwellings, but the gradual development of the tourist industry has since extended the risk of damage and, therefore, the interest in avalanche research. Until the start of the 20th century, the avalanche problem was being addressed largely by individuals, often foresters. These observers described avalanches and categorized them according to their character. Some early works concerning avalanches and defensive structures were published. Promoters of ski tourism, railways companies and hydropower plant operators were making louder pleas for scientific methods to be adopted for avalanche research from the 1920s, and they supported the establishment of the Commission for Snow and Avalanche Research in 1931. It became the first central agency in Switzerland dedicated to researching avalanches systematically. First Research Facility Built in ’30s The members of the Commission soon realized, however, that thei