Avalanche SizeDescriptionPotential DamageRun OutTypical DimensionsExample
1 Small Avalanche (Sluff)
  • Unlikely to bury a person, except in run out zones with unfavourable terrain features (e.g. terrain traps)
  • In extremely steep terrain, the danger of deep falls prevails the danger of burials
Stops within steep slopes. Length: 10-30 m
Volume: 100 m³
2 Medium Avalanche
  • May bury, injure or kill a person
  • Size 2 corresponds to the typical skier-triggered avalanche
May reach the end of the relevant steep slope Length: 50-200 m
Volume: 1,000 m³
3 Large Avalanche
  • May bury and destroy cars, damage trucks, destroy small buildings and break a few trees
  • When skiers are caught by avalanches of this size, probability for severe consequences are very high
May cross flat terrain (well below 30°) over a distance of less than 50 m Length: 300-1000 m
Volume: 10,000 m³
4 Very large Avalanche
  • May bury and destroy trucks and trains
  • May destroy fairly large buildings and small areas of forest
  • Very large avalanches may occur at danger level 3-Considerable and are typical during periods with danger levels High and Very High
  • Crosses flat terrain (well below 30°) over a distance of more than 50 m
  • May reach the valley floor
Length: 1-2 km
Volume: 100,000 m³
5 Extremely large Avalanche
  • May devastate the landscape and has catastrophic destructive potential
  • Typical for danger level Very High
  • Reaches the valley floor
  • Largest known avalanche
Length: > 2 km
Volume: > 100,000 m³