Controlled Avalanche Triggered Close to Andorran Ski Resort

Controlled avalanches were triggered close to ski resorts in the small Pyrenean country of Andorra on December 12, as the principality’s meteorological office warned that a mix of heavy snow and raised temperatures could cause instability on slopes.

Local media reported that “preventative avalanches” had been triggered by authorities in Arcalis, Arinsal, and Soldeu.

This footage shows one such avalanche barreling down a mountainside at the Ordino Arcalís resort. Engineer Sergi Querol, who captured the video, told Storyful it was triggered using a specialized explosives system, and would be studied “meticulously and mathematically” using a 3D simulation program called RAMMS developed by the Swiss government.

Andorra authorities on December 3 announced that due to COVID-19 restrictions, all ski resorts would remained closed until January. Credit: Sergi Querol via Storyful