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26/04/2008 17:42 - SOLEIL»  Snow & weather

Friday 16 May Temperature : +1°C
Snow at Arc 3000 : 235 cm
- Snow / Slopes opening

- WEBCAMS -   Forecast 4days  

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» Avalanches

 
Making the ski area safe whatever it costs. This is the mission that the ski patrollers aim to accomplish every day by using the Avalanche Release Intervention Plan (PIDA). Snow cover can become dangerous due to particularly warm weather or heavy snowfall and must be stabilised. Several methods are used by the ski patrollers in order to set off an avalanche :
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Explosives : these are thrown by hand.

Cable explosive transporter (CATEX): the explosive is attached to the cable by a clip. It is then towed above the slope that needs to be made safe.

GAZ-EX or Gas detonator : A large angled tube (detonator) is used in a system that enables avalanches to be set off by remote control. An explosive mixture of propane and oxygen is activated and the shock wave produced by the explosion releases the avalanche.

Helicopter : Used in areas which are difficult to access, this method requires a pilot and two ski patrollers. The explosive is simply thrown from the helicopter.

Avalancher : An avalancher is a six metre long compressed air canon that shoots explosive arrows into areas that are considered to be inaccessible.