Andorra Launches EDNA Avalanche Safety Courses for Winter Sports

Andorra Recerca i Innovació (AR+I), alongside the Mountain Rescue Group (GRM) of Andorra's Fire Service and the EFPEM School for Sports and Mountain Professions Training, promotes safe winter sports enjoyment through its EDNA (Espai de Neu i Allaus) initiative.

Since 2009, these organisations have collaborated to share expertise on snow, avalanches, and winter mountain safety with both locals and visitors. The goal is to boost awareness, prevention, and secure practices in snowy terrain.

Each season, EDNA runs training courses primarily for winter sports enthusiasts, though open to all. Level 1 introduces meteorology, snow science (nivology), safe route planning, and basic rescue techniques. Level 2 offers advanced, hands-on training for regular winter mountaineers. The advanced course targets those who have completed the first two levels, focusing on a practical day of movement in avalanche-prone areas.

This year, three sessions are scheduled: Level 1 in mid-January, Level 2 in the first week of February, and the advanced course over the March 20-21 weekend. These make ideal gifts—or self-gifts—for the Christmas season.

Beyond courses, EDNA tracks the snowpack weekly at the Sorteny station, with nivometeorological analysis posted on the blog at www.allaus.ad. The site also features full course details, the blog, an ATES (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale) geovisor mapping Andorran routes by terrain risk, and a survey for reporting observed avalanches. Public contributions help refine avalanche science, prediction, and prevention.

The message is clear: savour the new snow season, but prioritise safety.