Item: A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF AVALANCHE STUDY AND MODELLING AND ACTIVE TRIGGERING SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION IN UZBEKISTAN
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Title: A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF AVALANCHE STUDY AND MODELLING AND ACTIVE TRIGGERING SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION IN UZBEKISTAN
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- García-Sellés C [ Nivorisk, ANDORRA ]
- Riba S [ Nivorisk, ANDORRA ]
- Berger T [ MND SAFETY, Ste Helene, Francey ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: A relevant project has been under progress on behalf of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade (MIFT) of the Republic of Uzbekistan which aims at the development of the international all-season resort of the "Beldersay-Chimgan-Nanay" resort. The first phase of two concerns in particular the construction of a four seasons resort. Beyond the development of the resort, the main driver of the project is to build a cable transport system starting from the resort to the summit of Mount Chimgan at 3309 m altitude. This transport chain includes 2 ropeways system and 4 stations. Some of these infrastructures are highly submitted to avalanche risk. After a mandatory extensive study avalanche phase, the works saw the installation of comprehensive avalanche mitigation in 2026, focused on 4 major high-risk zones. The primary objective was to protect critical pylon infrastructure and slopes with 14 RACS, remotely operated avalanche gas control systems, O'Bellx™. Another key aspect of the project, which posed also a challenge from the perspective of snow conditions, was the analysis of snow and weather conditions in a mountainous region so geographically and conceptually distant from our Alpine and Pyrenean environment, usual business site. The first step was to try to classify the snow climate into one of the three classic categories: continental, intermountain or maritime. The working hypothesis was to assume a continental climate as this area is so far from coastal zones, where, in principle, the typical processes of a continental climate should be fundamental. Nevertheless, cold conditions may be moderated by a latitude like the Mediterranean Pyrenees and by a relatively modest altitude. All this means that we must be aware that a high level of uncertainty should be accepted when modelling reference avalanches, due to the lack of absolute certainty when reconstructing the snow conditions of avalanches with return periods of 100 and 300 years. For this reason, it has been important to maintain close contact with local meteorological authorities and with the academic sector involved in research and modelling of natural hazards. The paper aims at presenting the main outlines of this uncommon project.
Object ID: ISSW2026_P2.53.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790099040
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Thomas Berger
Keywords: Gas RACS – Avalanche – Modelling – Tian Shan -
Page Number(s): 2066 - 2073
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