From Howitzer Cannons to ‘Boom Whooshes’: Utah Avalanche Mitigation Continues Evolving

Avalanches have forever posed risks to ski resorts, mountain highways, and towns. If left unmitigated, they often result in damage, injury, and even loss of life. The longer snow builds up, loading a slope, the greater the threat to anyone below it or within its runout zone.

For decades, Utah avalanche mitigation teams used howitzer cannons to blast avalanches off the mountains. But when the military encouraged them to stop firing cannons at the mountains, the mitigators had to find new ways of bringing avalanches down. And they’re getting creative with the technology that they’re putting to use.

Take a trip to Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon, where the science of snow study and avalanche mitigation was born. There, they use the latest avalanche tech to ensure the safety of the mountains.

For more videos from Ski Utah, check out its YouTube page.

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