he white splendor has wrapped the mountains overnight. Looking out from the gondola, you see untouched, glittering snow-covered slopes. In your mind, a film is already playing of you floating effortlessly from one turn to the next.
By the time you reach the top station, the fresh snow has completely enchanted you. Just one slope—to feel that sensation on a single descent—who doesn’t know that urge?
You had actually planned a day on the groomed pistes, but what can you do? Who would want to pass up an experience like that?

Over the past 86 years, the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) has recorded an average of 24 avalanche fatalities per year.
Assessing avalanche danger is highly complex. Factors such as precipitation, temperature, snowpack structure, wind, slope orientation, and steepness all vary uniquely from one slope to the next.
Good preparation is therefore essential—even on freeride tours.
You’ve surely already heard of White Risk. The app has recorded over 200,000 downloads since its release.

In 2006, White Risk was introduced as a digital learning tool on CD. The goal of the SLF was to teach avalanche knowledge to the Swiss public in an interactive and playful way. The CD was soon followed by a web application and early mobile device versions—always with a focus on education and prevention.

Eventually, White Risk became one of the first map-based apps in Switzerland, initially launched for iPhone and shortly thereafter for Android. Key features of the early versions included the avalanche bulletin and the first options for planning your own tours.

The app continues to be improved and developed today. For example, artificial intelligence is now already being used to generate the avalanche bulletin.

You read that right – you can download White Risk as an app on your smartphone, but also run it in a web browser.So what’s the difference, apart from the fact that a laptop is a bit impractical on a ski tour?

The web application focuses heavily on knowledge transfer. The “Knowledge” section – accessible only via web browser – offers numerous e-learning modules for optimal preparation.
It’s best to use this tool at home, in the comfort of your living room, before your tour.

The app on your smartphone then becomes your reliable companion out in the field.
Smart, isn’t it?

If you want to get started with freeriding, you should use White Risk to acquire the necessary knowledge. The “Learn” and “Explore” tools in the web application will help you with that.
If you’ve already been going on freeride tours for a while, you can use the e-learnings to refresh your knowledg —because yes, after a hot summer, it’s easy to forget some of the finer details. However, keep in mind that theoretical knowledge should always be reinforced through hands-on training—after all, you don’t learn how to use a shovel on a computer.

If you have a tour idea in mind, you can plan it comfortably over a cup of coffee in the web application. The Tour feature helps you identify key sections and wildlife protection zones.
The app also gives you the option to overlay various map layers, such as ski slopes, public transport stops, terrain maps, and webcams. Once you're ready for your tour, the mobile app lets you access all current avalanche and snow condition information under Conditions.
The avalanche bulletin gives you key insights into the current situation in your region.

Out in the field, the mobile app also supports you with reliable navigation. Thanks to GPS localization, you can see approximately where you are.

There are plenty of exciting updates planned for the future. A new user interface is set to make tour planning even easier in the Tour section.
In addition, a beta version of the e-learning module will be released this coming winter—get ready to put your personal knowledge to the test!
A new tool is also in development that will soon help you combine key terrain features with current conditions, making it even easier to assess avalanche risk.

Download White Risk

2 days including overnight stay and course certificate
Learn about equipment, ascent techniques, companion rescue, and much more in our Basic Ski Touring Course in Grindelwald.
More information

2 days including overnight stay
Learn how to assess avalanche conditions, read the avalanche bulletin, and receive valuable tips on companion rescue.
More information

2 days including overnight stay and course certificate
Improve your deep snow technique with our mountain guides – so your future tours become a real pleasure.
More information