*The candidature for inclusion in the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO was submitted to UNESCO in March 2019.
Historical, economic and topographical circumstances in Switzerlandhave led to an accumulation of specialist practical knowledge and skills with respect to the alpine landscape. Dealing with the risk of avalanches provides a perfect example. Practical knowledge was reflected in pre-industrial society in the structure of settlements and in religious practices such as votive offerings. Furthermore, even early society took steps to deal with the risk of avalanches and their consequences, for example the Great St Bernard Hospice with the St Bernard dog as a symbol for alpine rescue. In the course of the twentieth century many methods of active prevention were developed and implemented. As well as new protective constructions and improved forest maintenance, measures also included planning tools such as risk maps and avalanche registries. At the same time, rescue services have seen some significant changes in terms of professionalism, electronic searching devices, evacuation techniques and airlifts (e.g. Air Glacier, Air Zermatt). Recently, the development of specialist institutions brought scientific progress to the problems posed by avalanches in Switzerland, forming the basis for the expansion of the alarm and crisis management units.
Detailed description
Umgang mit der Lawinengefahr (PDF, 284 kB, 07.08.2024)Ausführliche Beschreibung
Category
Canton
Video
Connected traditions
Publications
Robert Bolognesi : Attention avalanche ! Evaluer et réduire les risques. Paris, 2003
Andrée Fauchère : Evolène, 21 février 1999, 20h27…, Genève, 1999
Roland Flückiger-Seiler: Lawinen. In: Siedlungsanlagen und Siedlungsformen (Die Bauernhäuser des Kantons Wallis 3.1). Ed. Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Volkskunde. Basel, 2011, p. 76-81
Boris Gusic, Miriam Weber, Philipp Imboden: Lawinenverbauungen aus Trockensteinmauern am Beispiel Faldumalp. Diplomwahlfacharbeit am Institut für Denkmalpflege und Bauforschung, ETHZ. Zürich, 2008
Anne Herold-Revaz, Sylvie Dulex Putallaz, Laurent Bridel : Représentations du risque d’avalanches et comportements sociaux dans deux communes valaisannes. Salvan et Evolène. Zürich, 1998
Pascal Ruedin, Marie Claude Morand : Montagne je te hais – Montagne je t’adore / Berg, ich hasse dich – Berg ich liebe dich. Ed. Musées cantonaux du Valais. Sion, 2005
Service des forêts et du paysage du canton du Valais / Dienststelle für Wald und Landschaft des Kantons Wallis (Ed.): Avalanches ! Les événements de février 1999 / Lawinen! Die Ereignisse vom Februar 1999. Sion, 2009
Keywords
Winter
Contact
Kanton Wallis
Sektion Naturgefahren
Dienststelle für Wald und Landschaft
WSL – Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung SLF
Flüelastrasse 11
7260
Davos
Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research
Schweizer Alpen-Club SAC
Monbijoustrasse 61
3000
Bern 14
Swiss Alpine Club
Schweizer Bergführerverband SBV
Schweizer Bergführerverband SBV