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Hazard · Natural hazard

Avalanches & landslides

Read the avalanche bulletin from the SLF before every tour, adapt your route to the danger level and strictly respect closures. Carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe and know how to use them. Where there is a risk of debris flows, avoid watercourses and slopes; in an emergency, alert Rega on 1414.

Avalanches, debris flows and landslides threaten settlements and transport routes in the Alpine region — especially after intense snowfall, wind (wind slabs) or prolonged rain. Avalanches mainly endanger off-piste winter sports; debris flows and slides occur all year round, often as a result of heavy rain.

The avalanche bulletin of the SLF (Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research) is the central planning tool: every day it gives each region a danger level on a five-level scale. Most fatal avalanche accidents are triggered by the victims themselves.

That the danger is real is shown by history: the avalanche winter of 1951 claimed around 98 lives, the Bondo rockslide of 2017 eight. Protective structures and early-warning systems have since greatly reduced the number of victims — but in the field, personal responsibility remains decisive.

Risk rating

Risk · Medium (level 3 of 5)

Likelihood: Medium · Impact: Medium → Overall risk: Medium.

Risk matrix: likelihood runs vertically (top = high), impact runs horizontally (right = high). The highlighted cell shows this hazard's rating.
Impact
Low Medium High
Likelihood High
Medium This hazard's rating
Low

Legend: Low (green) · Medium (yellow) · High (red). Overall risk is likelihood multiplied by impact.

Avalanches, debris flows and landslides threaten alpine regions and transport routes. Local situation reports and closures are binding.

Immediate measures

  • Check the avalanche bulletin (SLF)
  • Respect closed routes
  • Emergency equipment in the field

Warning signs

  • SLF avalanche bulletin: danger level 3 (considerable), 4 (high) or 5 (very high)
  • Fresh wind slabs, "whumpf" sounds or cracks in the snow, recently released avalanches (the clearest warning signs in the field)
  • Heavy fresh snow in a short time, strong wind, rapid rise in temperature / rain on snow
  • With debris flow/slide: swelling, turbid streams, trickling stones, cracks or settling in the slope
  • Official road / piste closures (binding, not a "recommendation")

Before · During · After

Before

  • Read and understand the avalanche bulletin (SLF)
  • Adapt tours to the danger level
  • Carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe and know how to use them

During

  • Strictly respect closed roads and pistes
  • If there is a debris-flow risk: avoid watercourses and slopes
  • In an emergency, alert 1414 (Rega)

After

  • Searching for buried victims: first get an overview, then the transceiver search
  • Wait for local authority information before returning

This really happened

  1. 2025 Blatten rockslide (VS)

    On 28 May 2025 the Birch glacier collapsed under fallen rock masses; several million cubic metres of debris and ice largely buried the previously evacuated village of Blatten in the Lötschental. One person died; the debris dammed the Lonza river, forming a lake.

    Source

  2. 2023 Brienz/Brinzauls rockfall (GR)

    After years of accelerating slope movement, around 1.2 million m³ of rock fell into the valley during the night leading into 16 June 2023; the rock masses came to a halt a few metres short of the previously evacuated village of Brienz.

    Source

  3. 2019 Avalanche winter

    The snowy winter of 2018/19 brought the highest avalanche danger level 5 across many regions in January 2019; according to the SLF, 217 people were caught by avalanches that winter and 20 died.

    Source

  4. 2017 Bondo rockslide

    On 23 August 2017 around 3 million m³ of rock broke off Piz Cengalo; the resulting debris flow reached the village of Bondo (GR) and killed eight hikers — the village population had been evacuated in time thanks to the early-warning system.

    Source

  5. 1999 Evolène avalanche disaster

    During the avalanche winter of 1999, 12 people died on 21 February in Evolène (VS); across Switzerland the winter claimed around 17 lives despite better protective measures.

    Source

  6. 1951 Avalanche winter

    The most catastrophic avalanche winter of the 20th century claimed around 98 lives in Switzerland and destroyed about 1500 buildings; Vals, Andermatt and Airolo were particularly affected.

    Source

Frequently asked questions

How do I prepare for tours when there is avalanche danger?

Read and understand the SLF avalanche bulletin and adapt your tour to the five-level danger scale. Carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe and practise using them before you go into the field.

How do I recognise acute avalanche or landslide danger?

Clear warning signs in the field are fresh wind slabs, "whumpf" sounds, cracks in the snow and recently released avalanches. In the case of debris flow and landslide danger, swelling, turbid streams and cracks or settling in the slope are warning signs.

What should I do after an avalanche?

Get an overview first and then search for buried victims with the transceiver. Alert Rega on 1414 and wait for local authority information before returning.

Official sources