When Snow Slides: Skiing, World War II, and Avalanche Control (Part I) – Jesse Weiner

In World War II, the 10^th Mountain Division was the first American military division to specialize in mountainous arctic conditions. While their work was revolutionary to the world of skiing in general, one impact that’s often overlooked is the effect that the Division had on avalanche control measures after the war. After all, it was a veteran of the 10^th Mountain Division, Montgomery Atwater, who pioneered the use of artillery and explosives in avalanche control. Atwater and his successor, Ed LaChapelle, revolutionized avalanche control through measures such as explosives, avalaunchers, Gazex systems, weather stations, and infrasonic detection. Many of these crucial practices are still used today to ensure snow sport safety, and it’s important to acknowledge not only that these measures work, but the history behind them. After all, the snow sports industry as we know it can only operate because of avalanche control measures that protect its participants from nature’s terror.

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