DER ANDERMATTER Winter 2013

When do you start preparing the pistes?
CARLO DANIOTH: We never really stop
doing it. In the snow-free summer months
we clear stones from the pistes, construct
a ramp here and there and implement
various safeguards in the area. Nature is
always at work high up in the mountains.
It’s therefore very important, even during
the summer, to design the area so that the
pistes can be safely navigated in the winter.
TONI CATHOMAS: As soon as the first snow
falls in late autumn, we drive up in our snow
groomers and prepare the various pistes.
We flatten the snow down so that it doesn’t
get blown away by strong gusts of wind.
We are lucky if there is heavy snowfall
before the season starts – then the snow
can settle and form a superb foundation.
How many staff and machines are at
work in the winter?
TONI CATHOMAS: We have nine machine
operators working in the Sedrun ski resort
in the winter. They are real all-rounders. As
well as looking after the pistes, they also
see to the maintenance of the equipment
and the machines, including the seven
snow groomers.
CARLO DANIOTH: There are 15 people
employed in the piste patrol service on
the Uri side. They carry out a variety of
jobs too. Our machinery comprises eight
piste groomers, five of which are fitted with
1,000-metre-long cable winches which
haul the machines up the mountainside
metre by metre. The Gemsstock’s steep
slopes make its pistes among the most
difficult in Switzerland to prepare by far. It’s
hard to believe but the sunny side of the
mountain is actually more difficult to manage
than the glacier side because of the
many avalanche-prone slopes.
How do you protect the pistes from
avalanches?
CARLO DANIOTH: During extended periods
of snowfall, we obtain around-the-clock
updates from the Swiss Federal Institute
for Snow and Avalanche Research. If there
is a risk of avalanche we close the pistes
immediately in order to clear the accumulated
snow from the vulnerable slopes.
There are three ways to do this. We have
installed over a dozen blasting facilities in
the area, which we can trigger remotely
when there is a risk of avalanche. Sometimes
we even trigger the avalanches
from the helicopter by dropping explosive
charges directly onto the dangerous
areas. However, we usually just detonate
the blasts on the slope ourselves – a job
that requires a great deal of experience
and local knowledge, to avoid being swept
away with the mass of snow.
And when do you open the pistes again?
TONI CATHOMAS: Not until there is absolutely
no further risk to the guests on the
slopes.
CARLO DANIOTH: I’ll second that completely.
The responsibility and the consequences
are simply too great. Nature is the boss,
and we obey it completely. We learn how to
assess the situation, blast avalanches and
much more besides at the specialist training
courses we attend regularly.
You are also responsible for the rescue
service.
CARLO DANIOTH: That is correct. The SAC
rescue service is responsible for accidents
off-piste, such as those involving members
of ski touring parties, for example. When
accidents happen on the piste, we are first
on the scene. We are also often the first to
be called to assist with accidents involving
avalanches.
TONI CATHOMAS: We have been specially
trained for this work.
Your work is highly varied. Which part of
it do you enjoy the most?
TONI CATHOMAS: My job is extremely
varied and interesting. Along with my staff
at Sedrun Bergbahnen AG I am responsible
for everything to do with the technology
and the pistes. From the car park to the ski
slopes, from the snow groomers to the ski
lift tows – we have to make sure everything
is maintained in the best condition.
CARLO DANIOTH: I’ve worked for the
ski-lift company for 25 years now and
cannot imagine a more varied and
fascinating occupation. I still feel tremendously
pleased when guests compliment
me on how good the pistes are looking.
I'm always delighted to pass on such
comments to my team.
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Toni Cathomas
Toni Cathomas ist 1969 in Sedrun zur Welt
gekommen, wo er noch heute wohnt. Er ist
gelernter Elektro monteur und arbeitet seit 2000
bei den Sedrun Bergbahnen als Technischer
Leiter. Er gehört seit 2013 der Geschäftsleitung
der Andermatt-Sedrun Sport AG an. Cathomas ist
verheiratet und Vater von zwei Kindern.
Toni Cathomas was born in 1969 in Sedrun, and still
lives there today. He is a trained electrician and has
worked as technical manager at Sedrun Bergbahnen
since 2000. Since 2013 he has been a member of
the management board of Andermatt-Sedrun Sport
AG. Toni Cathomas is married with two children.
Carlo Danioth
Carlo Danioth ist 1967 in Andermatt geboren und
aufge wachsen. Nach seiner Lehre als Mechaniker
kam er 1988 zum Pistendienst der Sportbahnen.
1995 wurde der Bergführer zum Pisten- und
Rettungschef bestimmt. Heute ist er Leiter
Betrieb/Technik bei den Andermatt Gotthard
Sportbahnen. Carlo Danioth ist verheiratet und
Vater von zwei Kindern.
Carlo Danioth was born in Andermatt in 1967 and
grew up there. After training as a mechanic he joined
the ski-lift company’s piste patrol in 1988. The
mountain guide was appointed piste manager in
1995. Today he is head of operations and engineering
at Andermatt Gotthard Sportbahnen. Carlo Danioth is
married with two children.