If you look at the rows across the mountain side above the city you will see them repairing the avalanche breaks. They are 40ft tall steel posts connected together all across the mountain. When an avalanche triggers the posts slow/stop the whole side from coming down on the town. Last year an avalance broke almost all of the breaks and so they were replacing them via helicopter teams and LOTS of workers. There is such a limited time for them to work in.
An imposing height. I can see the risks.