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Show |r; v.-/ ) , Study of the available Swiss literature on avalanches and reports from our own skiers who attended the 19^8 Winter Olympics point to one important conclusion. The avalanche is one of the most powerful and complex forces in nature and has not yet yielded all its secrets to man. In Switzerland as well as in this country, the emphasis is turning from abstract research and passive methods of prote'ction to the active and practical approach. ^ w " * Specifically this means first, stabilization of slopes by skiing whenever that can be done safely and second, control of the avalanche hazard through the use of explosive or avalanche barriers. Alpine Ski Area Administration Avalanche hazard, certain to exist in some degree, is the most serious problem of administration in any true alpine ski area. It could be solved very simply and directly on Forest Service land by barring such areas to the public. This is not a satisfactory solution. Interest in winter sports in this country is great. It is increasing rapidly enough to produce an irresistible demand for the development of our finest ski terrain, the alpine zone, characterized by long winters, dry snow, and steep, open slopes. Another extreme answer to the avalanche problem would be to ignore it, trusting to luck and the fact that the chances of a skier and a snowslide arriving on the same spot at the same time are, mathematically speaking, remote. This approach to the problem wtuld be absurd except that it has actually and seriously been offered. The Forest Service is vitally concerned with a practical method of gaining maximum public use of alpine ski areas with adequate safety. Practically all the true alpine terrain already developed, under investigation, or still waiting for discovery, lies within the borders of the National Forests. Involuntarily the Forest Service finds itself with a task of supervision, administration, and research which mast be undertaken. Otherwise development of one of the finest participant sports will inevitably be marred by disasters for which the Forest Service would justly or unjustly take the blame. ^ + History of Alta Avalanche Studies For nearly 10 years the Forest Service has been carrying out such a program of snow study at Alta, Utah, in the Wasatch National Forest. Alta, in earlier days one of the most famous silver mining camps of the West, is the first true alpine ski area to be developed in the United States. The first full-time snow observer, Ranger C, D. Wadsworth, was stationed there by the Forest Service in the winter of 1937-38 when construction of the chair lift began. A modern highway and a large public shelter were also under construction. F% C. Koziol, now Supervisor of the Wasatch National Forest, then attached to the Region k division of Lands and Recreation, and Alf Engen originally recommended the development of Alta. The area presented an unusual combination of -2- ? |