This winter has already seen a record number of dynamite-triggered avalanches in the Swiss Alps. The reason is the huge amount of snowfall.
This content was published on
1 minute
NZZ am Sonntag/sm
For safety’s sake, Swiss ski resort and security authorities have set off thousands of avalanches this winter – blowing up 120 metric tonnes of explosives so far, reports Sunday newspaper NZZ am Sonntag. In a normal winter, 80-120 tonnes would be sufficient for the whole season.
Since last weekend’s intense snowfall – which caused chaos in many Swiss resorts – there have been about 5,000 explosions around the nation to help clear the surplus of the white stuff.
As Switzerland’s only dynamite dealer told the newspaper, there have been numerous orders for additional dynamite.
Typically, helicopters drop the dynamite onto the areas where snow levels are precarious – resulting in morning quiet pierced by occasional booms, as you can hear in this video clip:
Swiss national science foundation funded over 5,000 projects in 2023
This content was published on
In 2023, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provided a total of CHF961 million worth of funding towards research projects.
Switzerland invites 160 delegations to June Ukraine peace talks
This content was published on
Russia is currently not among the delegations invited to talks aimed at helping bring about peace in the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.
Survey: air travel most popular way to go on holidays for Swiss
This content was published on
Despite the climate crisis, flying is the most popular mode of transport for private travel – particularly among young, urban and high-income travellers.
Swiss government to use phone data to identify asylum seekers
This content was published on
From April 2025, authorities plan to be able to analyse data from mobile phones, computers and other data carriers to identify asylum seekers.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
This content was published on
Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
This content was published on
Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
This content was published on
2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Massive Swiss snowfall levels buck the trend
This content was published on
Many Swiss resort towns have recently seen near-record snow levels. But it's an outlier in a years-long trend of declining snowfall totals.
This content was published on
Roads were closed as a result but the protective galleries on the Matterhorn Railway line ensured rail services were not disrupted at the time. Images courtesy Air Zermatt.
Swiss ski resorts struggle under the weight of snow
This content was published on
Zermatt has been cut off again since Saturday night, and many of the 9,000 tourists stuck there will have to wait until Monday evening for a chance to leave. Helicopter services out of the resort are heavily subscribed. A ride out of town costs CHF70 ($72.8) per person but poor visibility and high demand have meant a…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.