There was a large avalanche at the Col du Lauteret this afternoon in the north facing Combeynot face. The avalanche occured shortly before 14h30 at around 2900 meters altitude on a north facing slope under the pic du Combeynot. Seven ski tourers in three groups were in the area at the time. The route is very popular with ski tourers due to the easy road access. The avalanche ran around 300 meters and injured 3 skiers. The CRS from Briançon and Modane flew to the scene. The victims were air lifted by helicopter to hospital.
For the Oisans, the avalanche risk was 2 above 2500 meters altitude with the risk of small slabs on north sector slopes formed by the wind. The Hautes-Alpes bulletin also gave the risk as 2 but above 2200 meters with the danger of a Persistent Weak Layer added to the wind blown snow with the risk of larger slabs and remote triggering due to the PWL.
On Thursday afternoon four skiers were caught by an avalanche in the vallee Etroite under the Rocher Blanc (2856m) sector near Nevache at 2500 meters altitude. A 24 year old man was completely buried by the slide. Rescued by his friends he was airlifted to hospital by the Briançon CRS with hypothermia.