WATCH: Utah leads the charge in new wave of avalanche mitigation methods

A Wyssen Tower detonated an explosive to control snow in dangerous avalanche terrain. Photo: Ski Utah

As heavy artillery, used to control snow in the powder meccas of Utah, is retired the Beehive state is ushering in a new era of snow control

ALTA, Utah – Utah has long been at the forefront of snow science and avalanche mitigation in North America, pioneering research and technologies that improve safety for skiers, snowboarders, and mountain communities. Recently, a new era of avalanche mitigation using sophisticated technology has started to replace older techniques of ski cutting, handheld explosives, remotely triggered explosives and military artillery that were used to keep winter enthusiasts, structures and roads safe in Utah.

The evolution has been documented and recently released by Lexi Dowdall, Communications Manager for Alta, and videographer Tim Jones through a project for Ski Utah.

Utah ski resorts in Little and Big Cottonwood Canyon are installing advanced Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) across critical zones like the terrain of Mt. Superior, which has created historically large avalanches that can sweep across the road between Snowbird and Alta and Solitude’s Fantasy Ridge.

These systems, which allow for precise, remote-controlled detonations to mitigate avalanche risks, mark a significant step forward in protecting lives and infrastructure and in getting ski terrain open more quickly after a big storm.

Several years ago, the U.S. Army initiated the recall of artillery guns that had long been used by ski resorts and transportation departments across the United States for avalanche mitigation. These military-grade artillery pieces, deployed in states like Nevada, California, Colorado, Utah, Alaska, Washington, and Wyoming, had been highly effective and precise in triggering controlled avalanches. The Army’s decision to retire these weapons prompted avalanche safety teams to explore new and safer technologies for managing snowpack stability and forced a focus on modern, innovative solutions to address avalanche risks.

“The Last Gunners” another documentary commissioned by Ski Utah documents the end of this era.

Utah ski resorts and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) have embraced Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) to manage avalanche risks efficiently and safely. These devices, strategically positioned in avalanche-prone areas, allow for controlled snow blasting without exposing patrollers to hazardous terrain.

Two widely used RACS in Utah include the GAZEX system and the Wyssen Avalanche Tower. GAZEX, produced by the French company MND, employs a mixture of propane and oxygen to create powerful explosions that target weak layers in the snowpack. Resorts like Snowbasin and Brighton, as well as UDOT, have relied on GAZEX systems for years.

UDOT has also pioneered the use of Wyssen Avalanche Towers in North America. These Swiss-manufactured towers store up to 12 explosive charges, or “shots,” which are remotely deployed on a cable before triggering a precise detonation. Resorts such as Alta, Solitude, and Snowbird have joined UDOT in adopting this cutting-edge technology.

North American innovation is also shaping the field. Alpine Infrastructure, based in Jackson, Wyoming, introduced the BW-Exploder, also called the “Boom Woosh.” This system, now used at Alta, Jackson Hole, and Wolf Creek, features a gas line that can extend over a kilometer, reducing the need for helicopter-assisted reloads and offering a more cost-effective solution.

While these advancements represent a shift away from traditional methods like artillery, skiers and snowboarders should fear not – the familiar sounds of avalanche control will remain a staple of Utah winters. Dave Richards, former avalanche office director at Alta, quipped in Ski Utah’s video, “Anybody concerned they won’t be woken up by explosives is horribly misled—they’ll still hear plenty of noise.”