Snow Avalanches and Prevention

This research unit investigates the formation and dynamics of avalanches in order to improve the forecasting of when and where avalanche events are likely to occur and their effects. It engages in process modelling based on laboratory experiments and field investigations.

On behalf of the government, it also operates the Swiss avalanche warning service. The avalanche bulletin provides information concerning the current avalanche situation and warns the public about the avalanche danger. The data underlying the service is delivered by an extensive network of observers and automatic measuring stations. The avalanches and prevention unit develops warning and information systems for public authorities and local emergency services.

Among other key duties, the unit provides advice on practical aspects of avalanche protection, and develops methods for the risk-based management of natural hazards. The latest research and development findings are continuously being translated into practice and used in the unit's intensive teaching and training activities.

It works closely together with other SLF research units and partners in Switzerland and abroad. These include national and international research establishments, cantonal and federal authorities, as well as industry, associations, and agencies responsible for public safety and tourism.

Projekte

Services and Product

Research Groups and Staff

Snow Avalanches and Prevention

Jürg Schweizer

Acting Deputy Director, Head of Research Unit, Head of SLF, Member of Directors Board

Risk and Resilience

Michael Bründl

Groupleader

Emanuel Kissling

Master student

Jan Kleinn

Scientific staff member

Jelle Looijen

Master student

Gregor Ortner

Postdoc

Linda Zaugg-Ettlin

Technical staff member

Avalanche Protection Measures

Stefan Margreth

Groupleader

Mark Schär

Technical staff member

Lukas Stoffel

Technical staff member

Avalanche Warning

Thomas Stucki

Groupleader

Lukas Dürr

Technical staff member

Lukas Infanger

Trainee

Célia Lucas

Technical staff member

Christine Pielmeier

Technical staff member

Luis Scherer

Trainee

Frank Techel

Scientific staff member

Jürg Trachsel

Technical staff member

Kurt Winkler

Technical staff member

Benjamin Zweifel

Technical staff member

Warning and Information Systems

Christoph Suter

Groupleader

Michel Bovey

System specialist

Edwin Cox

Software developer

Andreas Egloff

Software developer

Stephan Estermann

Software developer

Julian Fisch

Software developer

Andrea Helfenstein

Software developer

Jonas Christian Knerr

Software developer

David Liechti

System specialist

Ulrich Niederer

Software developer

Marcel Puschnig

Platform Engineer

Marc Ruesch

Software developer

Jan Svoboda

Scientific staff member

Gerd Weiss

Software developer

Avalanche formation and dynamics

Alec van Herwijnen

Groupleader

Valentin Adam

Visiting scientist

Bastian Bergfeld

Postdoc

Noel Boos

Software developer

Ivan Calic

PhD student

Amelie Fees

PhD student

Cyrill Hänni

Software developer

Stephan Harvey

Technical staff member

Martin Hendrick

Visiting scientist

Pierre Huguenin

Head of WSL/SLF site in Sion

Selina Jäckle

Master student

Yvo Keller

Software developer

Michael Josef Kohler

PhD student

Sirah Kraus

Master student

Camille Ligneau

PhD student guest

Michael Thomas Lombardo

PhD student

Colin Lüönd

Software developer

Stephanie Isabelle Mayer

Postdoc

Cristina Pérez Guillén

Scientific staff member

Louise Resche-Rigon

Master student

Jakob Schöttner

PhD student

Christine Seupel

PhD student

Andri Simeon

Temporary employee

Betty Sovilla

Scientific staff member

Fabrice Spahn

Software developer

Leonardo Stapelfeldt

Trainee

Melin Walet

PhD student