In Slovakia, dealing with the issue of avalanches began foresters in 1924, when in Veľká Fatra mountain avalanche destroyed half of the mountain village and killed 18 people. In 1968 it was decided to build a facility dedicated to the issue of avalanches for the whole of Slovakia.
After a large avalanche tragedy on Kubinska Hoľa in 1968, the Mountain Rescue has decided to establish a Centre of avalanche prevention, which is tasked to monitor snow cover and avalanche formation. The Centre began to work in 1972 in Jasna Low Tatras under Chopok, where is still working.
The Centre currently performs all of avalanche prevention and tasks such as :
Observing the evolution of snow cover and meteorological conditions of avalanches in profile of Chopok
Daily reports on the situation in avalanche mountain ranges in Slovakia;
Publish regional avalanche bulletin in according to a international rules;
Maintain a central register of avalanches and methodology in avalanche rescue and prevention;
Helps to organize the avalanche service in Poland.
Contact:
Avalanche Prevention Centre
Demänovská Dolina
Phone: 00421 44 559 16 95
Fax: 00421 44 559 16 37
slp@hzs.sk
www.hzs.sk