What does “PIDA” mean?
The PIDA (Plan d’Intervention pour le Déclenchement des Avalanches in French), or Avalanche Control Intervention Plan, is a key safety protocol used in ski resorts. It’s designed to plan, organize, and carry out controlled avalanche releases, keeping everyone on the mountains safe.
What is the purpose of a PIDA ?
The main goal of the PIDA is to protect skiers, infrastructure, roads, and resort staff. By triggering avalanches in a controlled and supervised way, it prevents unexpected slides and minimizes the risk of damage.
These preventive releases are carried out by Ski Patrollers and Certified Avalanche Technicians. Some areas can be accessed on foot, allowing them to intervene directly. For steeper or hard-to-reach zones, specialized systems like CATEX and GAZEX have been installed to ensure safe, remote operation.
These devices make it possible to trigger avalanches remotely, under controlled conditions.
Catex
Gazex
These devices allow teams to trigger avalanches from a distance under fully controlled conditions—crucial for the safety of both the ski area and everything below.
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