WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF

Research 24.09.2026
Tracking the movement of plants
Tracking the movement of plants

Out in the field with plant surveyors: the SLF’s Flora Raetica project is investigating how plant diversity in Graubünden has changed.

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A man in a blue T-shirt, light-coloured trousers and walking boots is crouching there, looking at plants. His light blue sun hat lies beside him. The ground is strewn with numerous boulders.
 
Research 08.09.2026
3D-printed rock avalanche
3D-printed rock avalanche

At SLF, researchers send water, sand and clay crashing through a model of Blatten in order to better predict the impacts of alpine hazards.

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A blue, mirror-inverted model of the Blatten region. A mixture of mud and slush is flowing down the artificial slope from above.
 
Institutional 04.09.2026
'The summer of 2026 could be an eye-opener'
'The summer of 2026 could be an eye-opener'

Brown trees and dry riverbeds: WSL Director Rolf Holderegger explains in an interview what needs to be done after the summer of 2026.

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Flussbett mit klarem Wasser links und Kiesufer rechts, umgeben von dichtem grünem Laubwald unter blauem Himmel
 
Research 31.08.2026
“We need the natural and social sciences.”
“We need the natural and social sciences.”

Pascal Haegeli, the new head of the SLF’s Snow Avalanches and Prevention research unit, talks about his plans for his field of research.

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A bearded man in a red jacket is standing in front of a lake in a mountainous landscape.
 

Research for people and the environment in a changing world

NEWS

Research
15.09.2026
The photo shows an aerial view of the rock and ice avalanche in Blatten, with snow-capped peaks.

Blatten reconstructed using seismic data

Using earthquake sensors, a research team has reconstructed the Blatten rock and ice avalanche. This is meant to help analyze such events.

Research
10.09.2026
A close-up of a tick perched on the edge of a green leaf, showcasing its reddish-brown body and long legs, with a blurred green background.

Half-time: Join in now and report ticks

Survey: 800 people have already shared their experiences of ticks in Graubünden with the SLF. Why not become a citizen scientist too?

Events
02.09.2026

Training course «Practice meets science»

Register now: From 15 to 19 February 2027, SLF will once more organise an advanced training course on snow and avalanches in English.

In the media
30.07.2026
Felsiger Berg mit Schneefeldern unter blauem Himmel

Rock avalanche at Piz Scerscen

SLF researcher Livia Pierhöfer writes in the Bündner Woche about what she has discovered regarding the rock avalanche on 14 April 2024.

Institutional
07.07.2026
A group of six young adults stands in a line on a stage, dressed in formal attire. They are holding certificates or awards and appear to be smiling. A colorful, abstract background is displayed behind them, suggesting a celebratory or event atmosphere.

“We get our knowledge from everywhere!”

Graduating with a grade of 5.7: How two SLF IT apprentices became the best in their subject in the canton.

Research
23.06.2026

Graubünden blooms with Flora Raetica

"Flora of Graubünden" will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2032—for the new edition, volunteers and researchers are documenting the local flora.

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AvaBlog

Our experts analyze the avalanche situation.
15 April 2026

current AvaBlog (in German)
current AvaBlog (in French)