Lötschental Cut Off as Avalanche Risks Shut Down Key Mountain Roads
Heavy snow and avalanche risks have forced the closure of key routes in Lötschental, including the stretch between Goppenstein and Gampel. PostBus Switzerland has suspended services in the area, leaving drivers temporarily unable to operate their usual routes. For locals, this situation is a familiar part of winter life.
The Lötschental valley has long faced seasonal isolation due to snow and avalanches. Before modern snow-clearing equipment arrived in the mid-20th century, roads often remained closed for months—sometimes from November until May. Even now, closures like the current one between Goppenstein and Gampel are not unusual.
Leander Jaggi, who has run the transport business in Kippel since 1993, sees the disruptions as part of an annual pattern. His family has provided transport services in the valley for generations, and he considers heavy snow and roadblocks a normal winter challenge rather than an extraordinary event.
PostBus drivers in the region rely on experience rather than specialised training for hazardous conditions. They coordinate closely with colleagues and share knowledge about natural hazards. Updates from local safety experts help them assess risks, though the company has never had a bus caught in an avalanche. Observing avalanche behaviour over the years has become part of their routine.
With routes closed and services halted, drivers will wait for conditions to improve before resuming operations. The situation highlights how experience and local expertise remain vital in managing winter transport challenges. For now, the valley remains cut off until authorities deem it safe to reopen the roads.
