Regardless whether you’re a beginner or an avalanche expert, your opinion matters
1993 – The European Avalanche Danger Scale is introduced. Five levels, uniform for the entire Alps. Back then, it was a milestone in avalanche warning and communicating avalanche dangers.
In the early 1990s there were fax machines, typewriters and teletexters – the internet was an undiscovered continent for most people. Today – 2026 – we scroll with our cell phones over high-resolution weather maps, consult bulletin apps, social media and GPS. But the description of Danger Levels? It is still just about the same it was 30 years ago. Even though our knowledge of avalanches has developed and evolved enormously during the last 30 years. Also the assessment of avalanche dangers has become systematized, clearer, through new concepts, terms and definitions. Also you, the readers of the Avalanche Bulletin and lovers of outlying terrain, have changed. Regardless whether you’re an avalanche expert or an occasional visitor to backcountry.
Therefore, it is high time to develop the Avalanche Danger Scale a further step. All of us in the European Avalanche Warning Services have done that together over the last six years. The five danger levels remain. Also their use by avalanche forecasters remains the same. But the language used needs to become clearer, easier to understand. Less of technical terminology, more of descriptions that are intuitively understandable by everyone. Even without knowledge or experience, it should immediately be crystal-clear: the higher the Danger Level, the greater the danger.
To succeed at that, one thing is crucial: the right language. No matter whether in German, English, Italian or French, or another European language.
👉 That’s where we need your opinion. Please take part in our survey. Assist us in improving the language, the communication of the Avalanche Danger Scale. ⏱️ It will take you only 10 minutes.
You’re not an experienced pro? You’re a beginner? In that case it’s even more important for you to give us your input. Because it’s precisely for you that the new, revised scale needs to be understandable.
Thank you.
The European Avalanche Warning Services EAWS
Avalanche Warning Services in Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland