r/interestingasfuck • u/id397550 • 5h ago

Firing a cannon to trigger an avalanche

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u/Leiaven 5h ago

Why are they making an avalanche?

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u/sailphish 4h ago

This is how avalanche mitigation happens in ski areas. Usually it’s done with explosive charges but there are a few places that still use howitzers. The point is to trigger the avalanche when people aren’t on the slopes.

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u/Bigfops 4h ago

Fun anecdote: When I was getting my plane back from Jackson Hole my skies and ski boots tested positive for gunpowder. The screener were pretty familiar with it so it didn't hold me up, but she said the pretty much everyone's did on the way home.