Failures of snow – and of avalanche research

Schweizer has researched virtually all aspects of avalanche formation: how fractures in the snowpack occur, how they spread and whether there are any indicators of this, how great and significant the spatial variability of weak layers is, and how avalanches can be detected from a distance and in poor visibility. Over time, his research has also come to include issues of human behaviour and whether machine learning can enable further improvements in avalanche warning.

Together with the almost two dozen doctoral students he has supervised over the years, and with colleagues at the SLF and from around the world, Schweizer has to date authored 157 publications in scientific journals. One of his colleagues calculates that all the snow profiles he has dug would add up to a hole 1,192 metres deep, not to mention his minute examination of the resulting snow walls with all their countless layers. Schweizer has shared his in-depth knowledge and experience with students and avalanche safety practitioners alike, making it accessible to a wide readership through publications such as the book Lawinen. Verstehen, beurteilen und risikobasiert entscheiden (Avalanches: Understanding, Assessment and Risk-Based Decision-Making) and providing expert input for accident reports when required.