Explosion causes avalanche With VID By Tom Sell This dramatic video shows a helicopter view of an explosion triggering a massive avalanche, sending tons of snow crashing down a mountainside. Arnaud Colas-Adler, 53, a ski patroller and explosives specialist, is carrying out the controlled blast that releases the avalanche during a safety operation in Tignes, France, following heavy snowfall. Explosives are used to bring down unstable snow before people are allowed onto the slopes. This helps stop unexpected avalanches from happening later. The helicopter footage shows the avalanche moving rapidly down the slope after the explosion. Commenters were quick to describe the helicopter footage as “beautiful”. ENDS