Maximum Caution Urged in The Alps Following Avalanche Deaths

Officials in the French province of Savoie, home to some of the world’s largest and best known ski resorts, have urged skiers to be cautious, especially when heading off piste, following more avalanche deaths at the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon three people lost their lives in two avalanche accidents that occurred outside ski area, in Arvillard and Bonneval-sur-Arc, the latter located over the back of Val d’Isère. Since the winter season began, 12 people have already died in avalanches in Savoie region.

The first avalanche swept away a group of three people at around 12:00 in the commune of Arvillard, area of the Grands Moulins in the Belledonne channel. Mountain rescue teams supported by helicopters found one person dead at the scene and two people were seriously injured.

A few hours later, around 2pm, a group of five people were caught in an avalanche in Bonneval-sur-Arc. The proximity of the ski area to Val d’Isère allowed for the quick arrival of rescuers from the neighbouring resort, again supported by helicopters, but despite their efforts two people died.

Recent snowfall combined with strong winds has made the snowpack particularly unstable across several areas. The Avalanche risk was rated ‘considerable’ or ‘marked’ today (3/5) on the massifs of Belledonne, Beaufortain, La Vanoise, La Maurienne, La Haute-Maurienne and La Haute Tarentaise. The risk will remain 3/5 for the Haute-Maurienne and will be 2/5 for the other Savoy massives with the exception of the Chartreuse 1/5.

The avalanche deaths underline a common ‘problem’ with the 1 to 5 danger level rating, that many skiers consider level 3 to be 'average' and worth taking the risk, when they wouldn’t at levels 4 or 5. In consequence there are more people heading off piste and more avalanche deaths and injuries at level 3 than at higher danger levels.

“Remember that accidents happen from level 1/5. Over the last season of 2023–2024, 3 out of 4 avalanches occurred during a 3/5 risk period. It's important not to consider this level as an average level,” a spokesperson for the Savoie region mountain rescue teams said, adding, “Those engaged in winter sports are required to take all necessary safety precautions and follow the advice given by professionals as soon as they head off piste for their own safety and also that of other skiers and riders and rescue workers.”

François Ravier, mayor of the Savoy, has sent his sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims.