The use of avalanche protection systems has a long history, especially in Europe. Traditionally, snow nets, snow rakes and steel snow bridges are installed in the initiation zones to prevent avalanches from forming (picture center right). In addition to these static defense structures, TRUMER uses snow catchment fences in recent years, such as the SNOWCATCHER, which effectively reduces the run-out length of an avalanche (picture bottom right). Such systems are often more cost effective for protecting linear infrastructure, buildings, tourist areas and infrastructure, where large initiation zones maybe too costly to appropriately mitigate.