This paper describes the various maps concerned with avalanche hazards in Switzerland and gives examples of parts of specimen maps. These include the Wald- und Lawinenkarte der Schweiz (1907) at 1 : 250 000 which marks actual avalanche paths, the Karte der lawinengefährdeten Gebiete (1972) at 1 : 30 0000 which gives a summary view of avalanche hazard, the Gefahrenkarte der Schweiz (1975) at 1 : 100 000 which is intended to give an over-all view of all natural hazards that will influence land use, the Lawinenatlas/Lawinenkarte Uri (1978) at 1 : 25 000 which contains all identifiable avalanche paths in the Canton, the Kombinierte geomorphologische Gefahrenkarte 1: 10 000 von Grindelwald (1977), a Pilot study of mapping natural hazards in a mountain area, and the Lawinengefahrenkarten des Eidg. Institutes für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung at 1 : 10 000 included in 26 advisory reports on 561 individual avalanche paths, and which can act as pilot studies to assist cantons in preparing their own maps.

This paper is being published in full in German in Interpraevent 1980, Bd. 3, as part of the proceedings of the symposium held at Bad Ischl, Austria, 8-12 September 1980.