In the past 75 years, artillery from World War II has been utilized at Alta Ski Area to combat avalanches. A ultimate boys dream (m/f), right? But now, it’s time for this cannon to retire.
Destructive weapon for protection
Since 1949, avalanches in Alta have been countered with an M116 howitzer, a weapon of war repurposed for a peaceful and protective purpose. It can hardly get more poetic. The time has come for this cannon to retire, but not without the above-mentioned short video explaining how this unconventional (and pioneering) method of avalanche control came to be. Definitely worth watching!
Rogier
lives in the French Alps. If there is even a little snow, he can be found outside to catch up with us afterwards.
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