The French ski resort of Val Thorens has announced it will be deploying drones to help patrol its vast ski area this season. INQ reports the drones will be used to warn skiers about impending dangers, as well as to provide assistance in case of an avalanche.

The drone will allow the resort’s tracking staff to analyze ski and snow conditions, as well as assist in rescue missions in the event of an avalanche by providing aerial intelligence to ski patrollers in order to evaluate the best safety response.

The each drone will feature two digital cameras, a thermal camera  to identify heat sources under the snow and a second an optical camera with powerful zoom (180x) to examine any portion of the ski slope from a distance. They will also be equipped with a loudspeaker that allows safety instructions to nearby skiers.

Val Thorens ski patrollers are currently training to get the necessary certifications to the potentially lifesaving devices.

images from Office du tourisme de Val Thorens/T. Loubere via AFP Relaxnews

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