E.P.A. (Avalanche Permanent Survey) is a descriptive report of selected avalanche areas. Survey is conduced, each winter, by observers assigned between French Alps and Pyrenees. Data collection was initialised in 1899 by the French Forestry Administration. O.N.F. (Forestry National Office) and the Cemagref research institute were developing the database and cartography the surveyed areas. Recently, during 5 years, E.P.A. has been updated, adding photos, rebuilding location maps and defining observation methodology. Current uses include public information, risk assessment and large scale statistical studies.