Alpine Association warns

“The avalanche doesn’t know you’re an expert”

The Alpine Association is once again launching the "Avalanche Update" lecture series, where you can find out everything you need to know about the "white danger". It's hard to believe: more and more experts are involved in accidents.

"We can no longer ignore how many experienced and trained alpinists are affected by avalanche accidents," explains Michael Larcher from the mountain sports department of the Austrian Alpine Club.

369 people involved in avalanche accidents
In the 2023/24 winter season, 369 people were involved in avalanche accidents across Austria and 14 people lost their lives. Larcher: "We assume that highly experienced alpinists were involved in around half of the avalanche accidents in recent years."

We assume that highly experienced alpinists have been involved in around half of the avalanche accidents in recent years.

Michael Larcher, Österreichischer Alpenverein, Abteilung Bergsport

More focus on training
 "Expert, watch out! The avalanche doesn't know you're an expert." With this statement, the former Swiss avalanche expert André Roch pointed out that even the most experienced are not immune to the dangers of avalanches. Larcher emphasizes that these traps must be pointed out more clearly in future training.

Avalanche update as a livestream
Avalanche expert Michael Larcher will be touring Austria and Germany again from November 27th with the well-known "Avalanche Update" lecture series. The avalanche update in Innsbruck on December 12 (7 p.m.) will be available to all interested parties as a free livestream via the Alpine Club's YouTube channel.

All the details can be found at www.alpenverein.at/lawinenupdate