An avalanche describes a mass of snow or ice that detaches from mountain slopes and flows into the valley. The danger of an avalanche results mainly from two factors: first the enormous amount of snow and objects carried along (e.g., trees and stones), and second, the powerful pressure wave generated by the avalanche. Avalanches pose a considerable danger to people and animals. If they hit a building, they can destroy it completely or cause deformations and cracks in the walls or roofs. Avalanches can also disrupt tourist activities and infrastructure in this way.
The risk assessment is based on an avalanche potential developed by us, which considers both the hillslope and climatological factors such as temperature and precipitation.