Andorra Conducts 53 Controlled Avalanche Triggers After Heavy Snowfall

Andorra's Coex service, assisted by external experts, conducted 53 controlled avalanche triggers over a high-complexity weekend following heavy snowfall from Friday night into Saturday. The operations focused primarily on the Ransol valley to protect the nation's 140-kilometre interurban road network amid heavily loaded snowpack conditions.

Saturday began at dawn with 18 detonations: eight using explosives in the Guardiola-Soldeu area, eight at Fonts d'Arinsal, and two from Wyssen towers in the Torradella-Pont de Mos-Ransol sector. That afternoon saw three more explosives at Hortell d'Arcalís and five arrows launched from an avalencheur cannon at Basser del Corb.

Sunday morning brought seven additional shots: five explosives in Guardiola-Soldeu and two from Wyssen towers in Torradella-Pont de Mos-Ransol. The effort culminated in 20 helicopter-dropped grenades spanning the full Ransol valley, from Torradella to Castellar.

Several detonations successfully released controlled slides, including at Hortell d'Arcalís, the Torradella Wyssen sector, Basser del Corb, and a slab triggered by explosive in Guardiola-Soldeu. No major road incidents occurred, ensuring safe passage despite elevated avalanche risks.

The activity far exceeded the Christmas snowfall episode, which involved only two Wyssen activations in Ransol and three shots at Hortell. Specialists from firms like NivoRisk supported Coex teams, taking advantage of favorable weather windows for these preventive actions.

Coex operates a sector-based guard system throughout winter, with teams patrolling the entire interurban road network daily from 4am to clear snow and maintain safety.