in the 1970s several new villages were built in France devoted almost exclusively to skiing, such as Les Menuires. Until this point, Austria and Switzerland had been the traditional and more popular destinations for winter sports, but by the end of the 20th century and into the early 21st century, France, Italy, and the Tyrol began to see increases in winter visitors. From 1980 to the present, ski-lifts have been modernized and snow-making machines installed at many resorts, leading to mounting concerns regarding the loss of traditional Alpine culture and uncertainties regarding sustainable development. For instance the number of ski resorts and piste kilometres has declined since 2015, a likely result of climatic change. Avalanche/snow-slide 17th-century French-Italian border avalanche: in the 17th century about 2500 people were killed by an avalanche in a village on the French-Italian border. 19th century Zermatt avalanche: in the 19th century, 120 homes in a village near Zermatt were destroyed by an avalanche. December 13, 1916 Marmolada-mountain-avalanche 1950–1951 winter-of-terror avalanches February 10, 1970 Val d'Isère avalanche February 9, 1999 Montroc avalanche February 21, 1999 Evolène avalanche February 23, 1999, Galtür avalanche the deadliest avalanche in the Alps in 40 years. July 2014 Mont-Blanc avalanche January 13, 2016 Les-Deux-Alpes avalanche January 18, 2016 Valfréjus avalanche July 3, 2022 Marmolada serac collapse Transportation The region is serviced by of roads used by six million vehicles per year. Train travel is well established in the Alps, with, for instance of track for every in a country such as Switzerland. Most of Europe's highest railways are located there. In 2007, the new Lötschberg Base Tunnel was opened, which circumvents the 100 years older Lötschberg Tunnel. With the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel on June 1, 2016, it bypasses the Gotthard Tunnel built in the 19th century and realizes the first flat route through the Alps. Some high mountain villages are car-free either because of inaccessibility or by choice. Wengen, and Zermatt (in Switzerland) are accessible only by cable car or cog-rail trains. Avoriaz (in France), is car-free, with other Alpine villages considering becoming car-free zones or limiting the number of cars for reasons of sustainability of the fragile Alpine terrain. The lower regions and larger towns of the Alps are well-served by motorways and main roads, but higher mountain passes and byroads, which are amongst the highest in Europe, can be treacherous even in summer due to steep
{
        'QUESTION: What happened in the 17th century French-Italian border avalanche?': 'In the 17th century, about 2500 people were killed by an avalanche in a village on the French-Italian border.',
        'QUESTION: How did the number of ski resorts and piste kilometers decline after 2015?': 'The number of ski resorts and piste kilometers declined after 2015, a likely result of climatic change.',
        'QUESTION: When was the Lötschberg Base Tunnel opened?': 'The Lötschberg Base Tunnel was opened in 2007.',
        'QUESTION: Which two tunnels were bypassed by the Gotthard Base Tunnel?': 'The Gotthard Base Tunnel bypassed both the Lötschberg Tunnel and the Gotthard Tunnel.',
        'QUESTION: Why do some high mountain villages become car-free?': 'Some high mountain villages become car-free either because of inaccessibility or by choice, often for reasons of sustainability of the fragile Alpine terrain.',
        'QUESTION: What makes the transportation system in the Alps unique?': 'The transportation system in the Alps is unique because most of Europe\'s highest railways are located there, and some high mountain villages are car-free either because of inaccessibility or by choice.',
        'QUESTION: Who are the major players in terms of train travel in the Alps?': 'Switzerland plays a significant role in train travel in the Alps, with its extensive railway network including tracks for every mile in the country.',
        'QUESTION: What challenges do higher mountain passes and byroads pose during summer months?': 'Higher mountain passes and byroads pose challenges during summer months due to their steepness and potential hazards, making them treacherous even in good weather conditions.',
        'QUESTION: Can you provide examples of deadly avalanches in recent history?': 'Examples of deadly avalanches in recent history include the February 13, 1999 Montroc avalanche, the February 21, 1999 Evolène avalanche, the February 23, 1999, Galtür avalanche, the January 13, 2016 Les-Deux-Alpes avalanche, and the January 18, 2016 Valfréjus avalanche.',
        'QUESTION: What factors contribute to the increase in winter visitors to France, Italy, and the Tyrol?': 'Factors contributing to the increase in winter visitors to France, Italy, and the Tyrol include modernization of ski-lifts, installation of snow-making machines, and improvements in transportation infrastructure.'
    }