Jean Blanc, a ski instructor from Bonneval in the Maurienne, was killed by an avalanche on Thursday morning. He had gone to clear snow from his chalet close to the hamlet of Ecot when he was hit by a natural avalanche. His body was found by ground rescue team, poor visibility stopped the rescue helicopter from overflying the area.
The alert was not given immediately as the chalet was close to the village and not thought to be in danger. The avalanche risk was maximum: 5/5 at the time of the incident. At the time the mayor of Bonneville had recommended holiday makers to stay in the village.