The ski tourer caught by an avalanche on Monday early afternoon has succumbed to his injuries in hospital in Grenoble today. The incident occured above the Lac de Chavière near the ski resort of Val Thorens at 3000 meters altitude.
The 58 year old non-French national was with a group when he was taken and buried by the slide. He was recovered in a critical condition. The avalanche risk was moderate. It is the first fatality this season in France but despite poor snow cover there have been other incidents involving both ski tourers and off piste skiers. On the 18th December a soldier was taken to hospital following an avalanche on a training exercise near the col du Palet at Tignes. He was buried for 10 minutes.
There are localized weak layers (facets or depth hoar) in a wide arc from the Savoie to the Mercantour and in the Pyrenees. These are covered either with fresh or wind blown snow. Although many of the slabs are relatively small avalanche expert Alain Duclos reported a large slab of 70 to 100 cm depth close to Mont Thabor at the weekend. He comments that south aspect slopes at altitude are particuarly suspect at the moment. Skiers should take particular care with the fresh snow expected this weekend.