As of February 24, 2026, 28 people have already lost their lives in avalanches in France. A tragic toll that once again highlights the importance of preparation, route planning and informed decision-making in winter mountain environments.

Over the past decade, the Petzl Foundation has supported the development of innovative, free digital tools aimed at helping skiers and ski tourers make more informed choices before heading into the mountains. The goal is simple but crucial: reduce exposure to avalanche terrain through better planning.

Two of these applications — Yéti and Skitourenguru — are now available to all users at no cost. Both platforms use a clear and intuitive color-coded system to indicate the level of avalanche risk along a selected route. By visualizing risk distribution before setting out, users can adapt their itinerary, choose alternative lines, or postpone objectives when conditions are unfavorable.

The scale of the project is significant. To date, approximately 4,600 routes have been digitized in the French Alps, 13,000 across the entire Alpine range, and a further 500 routes are scheduled to be added in the Pyrenees during 2026. This growing database provides ski tourers with increasingly comprehensive coverage of popular backcountry areas.

How the Apps Work

To support users in understanding and maximizing the potential of these tools, the Petzl Foundation is launching a dedicated series of tutorials:

• Tutorial 1: How does Skitourenguru help you reduce avalanche risk?

• Tutorial 2: Skitourenguru expert mode: GPX, ski touring

The tutorials explain how terrain analysis, avalanche bulletins and route data are integrated into the applications, as well as how to use advanced features such as GPX track integration in expert mode.

Planning Is Prevention

While no digital tool can eliminate risk entirely, informed preparation remains one of the most effective safety strategies in ski touring. Evaluating slope angles, exposure, terrain traps and current avalanche forecasts before departure significantly reduces uncertainty in the field.

As the Petzl Foundation emphasizes, the script of your ski tour is largely written the day before — during the planning phase. Careful route selection, awareness of conditions and the willingness to adapt objectives remain fundamental principles of safe mountain travel.

The message is clear: make use of the available tools, share them within the community, and approach every winter outing with preparation and respect for the mountain environment.

INFO: Petzl