“Explosive†might just be the word for a long-standing collaboration between the Monterosaski company and Roberto Vassale, a raider admiral of the Navy, aimed at perfecting a revolutionary system for avalanche control. One of the preventive measures used to protect ski runs from avalanches involves setting off explosives to bring down snow masses or cornices when the runs are closed. To do this there are remote control systems such as Gaz.ex, two of which are installed in the Monterosa ski complex, or explosive charges (dynamite) which are placed by hand or fired, to bring down dangerous cornices. The last two methods expose operators to the risk of avalanches, and placing the charges takes up a good deal of time. For some years now Monterosaski has been investing in the design of a helicopter-transportable system, to ensure greater operator safety, rapidity and ease of access to dangerous areas. The first project was presented at Saint-Vincent in December 1999 by admiral Vassale. It has taken more than two years for the system to be acknowledged and to get permission to transport it by helicopter, but the prototype of the device was finally presented at Champoluc on the 8th January. It comprises an explosive cylinder which can hold up to 5 Kg of molten TNT (a very insensitive, stable explosive). Shortly before being lowered to the ground the cylinder is connected to a detonation system which activates three minutes after being dropped into the snow, by means of a cable connected to a winch. Due to its safety, and the fact that the explosive and the detonators are transported in separate compartments, the system has been authorised by Civilavia, the body governing safe flying.
