Their decisions are often unseen, but their impact is clearly felt—they are the silent guardians who ensure that the Montafon mountains remain not only a place of beauty, but also of safety. The dedicated members of the Montafon Avalanche Commissions work every day in winter to ensure safety in the ski area and throughout the valley. Christian Thöny, chairman of the Gargellen Avalanche Commission, offers a glimpse into his responsible work.
Christian, how did you get involved with the Avalanche Commission?
I grew up in the mountains. My father and, later, various mentors inspired me with their legendary intuition for snow and, thankfully, passed on their knowledge and skills to me. This gave me the opportunity to become professionally familiar with avalanche science at an early age.
What are the responsibilities of the Avalanche Commission?
The Gargellen Avalanche Commission is responsible for safety in the village during the winter, including the marked winter hiking trails and access roads, as well as in the Gargellen ski area. Our responsibilities also include providing information to the public, the municipality, safety authorities, and the media, as well as collaborating with search and rescue services. In Gargellen, we commission members also serve as explosives officers. That means we have a dual responsibility.
What does a typical day of yours look like in winter?
My day begins very early in the morning, quite unspectacularly, in front of the computer, comparing data from various weather stations. Then I drive to the ski area, where our team reviews the weather data again and takes measurements in the snow. All decisions regarding safety in the ski area are made anew each day based on the situation. If the situation requires it, we trigger an avalanche artificially through controlled blasting. Around 8:30 a.m., once we’ve given the go-ahead, the ski resort can open for business. Our work at the ski resort ends at 4:30 p.m., at which point the resort closes and doesn’t reopen until we give the green light the next morning.
“Every day brings different natural conditions; every day brings new challenges.”
Christian Thöny Gargellen Avalanche Commission
What motivates you to volunteer so extensively?
The safety of locals and visitors is very important to me. I want them to feel comfortable and safe here in Gargellen. Plus, I find the work itself incredibly exciting. Every day brings different weather conditions, which means we’re always facing a new challenge. And just the feeling of skiing down the untouched slopes before dawn, when everyone else is still in bed, is priceless.
You’ve been with us for over 30 years. How has your job changed since then?
It’s almost unimaginable to think about the conditions and the dedication required to do this work back then. Today, we’re supported by state-of-the-art technology. For example, we work with various computer programs that provide us with vast amounts of data, and we collaborate closely with meteorological centers. But what has changed the most is the winter sports enthusiast themselves. This is due, on the one hand, to the growing number of people venturing into the mountains, and on the other hand, to new trend sports. Cell phones, GPS, and advancements in equipment have increased the sense of safety on the mountain—but they’ve also made athletes more reckless.
Do you have any recommendations for winter sports enthusiasts on how they can best protect themselves from avalanches and manage the risk?
I would say the most important things are common sense and comprehensive information, whether online, via an app, through the information boards with warning lights directly in the ski area, or in person from knowledgeable locals and ski lift staff. In addition, good trip planning and safety equipment are essential, especially in open terrain. Ultimately, your individual gut feeling is what counts. For me, a bad feeling always means “Stop”!
Name: Christian Thöny
Occupation:
Hotelier
Chairman of the Avalanche Commission
Gargellen Mountain Rescue
Place of residence: Gargellen
Sports: Any kind of outdoor activity
ECHT Montafon
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