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LawinenpfeifeInauenSchaetti LStoffel
International Advanced Training Course on "Snow and Avalanches" 6 - 10 February 2023
Objectives
The course aims at providing science and expertise based education with a mixture of lectures and hands-on activities. It is designed as an advanced level training intended for people with good basic knowledge and experience in the field of snow and avalanches. You will improve your observational skills in the field and your analytical capabilities in data interpretation and will be able to integrate new techniques and methods into your daily work. Furthermore, the international setting allows for a unique exchange of experience among practitioners with various backgrounds.
Target audience
Anyone working in the snow and avalanche business can participate. However, since it is an advanced course, good basic knowledge of snow and avalanche danger assessment and management is required. The course is intended for:
- avalanche forecasters
- avalanche specialists and consultants
- avalanche instructors
- avalanche hazard managers for infrastructures, avalanche control services
-
representatives of institutions, private services and associations
| Date | 06 - 10 February 2023 |
| Location | Davos, Switzerland (Hotel Sunstar) |
| Course language | English |
| Course costs | CHF 900.-, includes: 5 day of training, course material, lunch and coffee break during the course days and ski pass for field days |
| Accommodation (not included in course cost) | Sunstar Alpine Hotel offers a special arrangement: CHF 170.- per night/single room (incl. breakfast and dinner) cancellation: see Hotel policy. For other accommodation please contact Davos Tourism |
| Organisation | WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF: Christine Pielmeier, Stephan Harvey, Alec van Herwijnen, Lukas Stoffel, Yves Bühler, Henning Löwe, Jürg Schweizer |
| Information | Marion Hofmänner, marion.hofmaenner(at)slf.ch or Stephan Harvey, harvey(at)slf.ch |
| Insurance | Insurance coverage is the responsibility of the participants |
| Registration | Registration is closed
|
Course structure
A general part of the course focuses on current snow and avalanche knowledge and covers the following topics:
- physical and mechanical properties of snow
- avalanche formation and dynamics
- observation and measurement standards
- stability evaluation and hazard assessment
- risk management strategies
- RAMMS introductory workshop (optional)
The specified part of the course consists of two separate modules, which focus on the following topics:
Module 1: Snow stability and avalanche forecasting
- Operational avalanche forecasting
- Novel measurement and observation methods
- Risk assessment in backcountry terrain
- In-depth process understanding of avalanche formation
Module 2: Avalanche safety and control
- Permanent and temporary mitigation measures
- Hazard assessment for infrastructure (safety concepts)
- Hazard mapping, avalanche simulations
- Organisation of local avalanche control service
Course elements
- Presentations in the lecture halls-
- Practical application in tutorials and in the field (2 field days)
- Interpretation and application of results
Lecturers from the SLF:
- Perry Bartelt, RAMMS
- Bastian Bergfeld, Avalanche formation and dynamics
- Yves Bühler, Alpine remote sensing
- Marc Christen, RAMMS
- Stephan Harvey, Avalanche formation and dynamics
- Henning Löwe, Snow physics
- Stefan Margreth, Avalanche protection measures
- Jessica Munch, RAMMS
- Cristina Peréz, Avalanche formation and dynamics
- Christine Pielmeier, Avalanche warning
- Jürg Schweizer, Snow avalanches and protection
- Lukas Stoffel, Avalanche protection measures
- Frank Techel, Avalanche warning
- Alec van Herwijnen, Avalanche formation and dynamics
- Kurt Winkler, Avalanche warning