About Us
Finding Folklore in Safety Occupation
The Swiss Alps are beautiful but hazardous. Communities nearby are living in high risk areas for avalanches. In order to mitigate and prevent danger, the SLF works with local mountaineers to gather local knowledge, create protective systems, and research how to best protect neighboring towns. The SLF has many subgroups that work together to best approach the research, public broadcasting, and prevention efforts. Together, they provide avalanche bulletins which is essentially a forecast for the following day. This includes an evaluation of all the measurable snow slopes and the risk they currently pose. This information is gathered by local mountaineers and ski patrol teams who report back to research teams. One of the most recognized groups in SLF is the Avalanche Warning Service which maps and broadcasts areas at risk for avalanches (Stephan et al., 2023).
Our Story
As occupational organizations the SLF and their subgroup Avalanche Warning Service value their professions and protection services offered. Members are hired for their skills in mountaineering, research, management, engineering, and much more. Those part of the organization or folk group have the opportunity to work entry level jobs as well as full-time careers that require schooling and professional training.
Local mountaineers are paid for their services, however, their values are geared more towards a desire to protect local communities and loved ones. This part of the folk group provides SLF and the Avalanche Warning Service with local knowledge and updated information about mountain conditions. This is a traditional form of folklore as they are passing down knowledge with those who can help.
