Three skiers are dead in the French Alps after an avalanche tore through off piste terrain at Val d Isere, just days after one of the most serious avalanche warnings in decades was issued across the region.
The slide struck on Friday morning in the Manchet valley area of the resort, sweeping away six skiers. Two British nationals and one French skier were killed. Another British skier was treated for minor injuries. The incident has triggered a manslaughter investigation by the Albertville public prosecutor’s office, with specialist mountain police from CRS Alpes leading the inquiry.
Two separate guided groups were caught. One group of four was skiing with an instructor. Further down the face, part of another group of five with a professional guide was also hit. All those involved were reportedly carrying avalanche safety gear, including transceivers, shovels and probes. The instructor involved in the incident was uninjured and has tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
The avalanche followed Storm Nils, which delivered between 60 and 100 centimetres of fresh snow across parts of the French Alps. In the days prior, Meteo France had issued a rare day-long red alert for avalanche danger across the Savoie region, a level only used a handful of times since the warning system was introduced 25 years ago. Although the red alert was lifted on Friday, the snowpack was described as highly unstable, particularly above 1800 to 2000 metres.
Local authorities had warned skiers to remain on marked runs. Despite that, off-piste traffic remained visible across exposed faces. One witness told media he had been watching freeriders on the slope moments before the slide and thought the terrain looked dangerous. Within seconds, the mountain released.
What is not yet clear is what triggered the slab. Early reports suggest the upper part of the slope fractured first, with victims higher on the face taken immediately. Those lower down are believed not to have seen it coming. Investigators will now determine whether the group decision-making, route choice or snowpack conditions contributed to the release.
This is not an isolated event. In the same week, two skiers were killed in separate avalanches in the French Alps. Earlier in the season, two unguided ski tourers died near Saint Veran. At La Plagne in January, a British skier was buried under more than two metres of snow and could not be revived. He was not carrying a transceiver.
Across France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria, avalanches have already claimed dozens of lives this winter. Estimates vary by reporting outlet, but the total is climbing fast, and the pattern is consistent. Big storms. Rapid loading. Bluebird windows. Off-piste tracks within hours.
For New Zealanders heading north for the European season, this is a sharp reminder that avalanche culture in Europe differs from what many are used to at home. Vast lift accessed off piste terrain, limited control outside marked runs and a heavy reliance on individual judgement. Gear is standard.
Europe is in a volatile cycle. Fresh snow stacked onto older layers, wind loading at altitude and large temperature swings have built fragile slabs across wide areas of the Alps.
The Alps are unforgiving when the pack is primed. The lesson is not abstract. It is simple. Respect the bulletin. Respect the terrain. And understand that once a slope fractures, the mountain does not negotiate, carry the right gear.
