Tuesday 13 January, 2026 was marked by multiple avalanches and mountain rescue operations across Savoie and Haute-Savoie, as avalanche risque remained Considerable to High throughout the Alpine massifs.
Aravis: injured skier and several helicopter rescues
In the Aravis massif, an avalanche occurred early in the afternoon in the Trois Aiguilles sector, on the north-facing slope of the Pointe de Mandallaz (2277m) above Manigod. The alert was raised at 13:30
A 22-year-old skier from Annecy was swept away and partially buried. Suffering from a fractured femur, he was airlifted by Dragon 74 to Annecy hospital. No other members of his group were reported missing.
Later the same day, the Dragon 74 helicopter also carried out two further rescues: a 29-year-old snowboarder stuck in steep, rocky terrain in Montriond, and two hikers aged 25 and 29 trapped after leaving a marked trail above Mont Veyrier, overlooking Lake Annecy. All were rescued unharmed.
The avalanche danger in the Aravis was rated 3 out of 5, with sensitive wind slab, locally aggravated by a buried persistent weak layer above 1,800 to 2,000 metres.
Val d’Isère: skier carried by an avalanche
In Val d’Isère, an avalanche was reported shortly before 10h30. One person was caught by the slide but escaped injury, losing only equipment.
The avalanche risk in the sector remained 4 out of 5, prompting authorities to once again urge skiers to exercise extreme caution, especially when venturing off-piste.
Courchevel: skier buried then rescued
At 11h30, an avalanche occurred on the north face of La Pyramide in Courchevel. Two season workers were skiing off-piste when one of them was buried by the snow. His companion managed to dig him out before the arrival of ski patrol, a doctor and mountain rescue flown in by helicopter. Conscious and equipped with an avalanche transceiver, the skier was taken to Albertville hospital for medical checks.
In the Vanoise massif, avalanche danger was 3 out of 5, with numerous hard and soft slabs, sometimes thick and wide, particularly on north-facing slopes.
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise: avalanche crosses open ski run
At 12h40 , ski patrollers in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise witnessed a large avalanche triggered by a group of four off-piste skiers. The slide crossed the Grand Solliet blue run, a rare and particularly concerning scenario. Three skiers were knocked over by the avalanche but managed to free themselves. A fourth skier was found partially buried, around 50 metres below the piste, with one hand visible above the snow. Shocked but conscious, the skier was evacuated to Bourg-Saint-Maurice hospital.
[Credit Nicholas Charamel/Service des Pistes Ste Foy]
A major rescue operation was launched immediately, involving ski patrollers from neighbouring resorts, ski schools, and the mountain rescue rescue. Unsure if there were further victims under the debris multiple probing lines and four avalanche dogs searched the area. At 15h15, the operation was lifted after no other victims were found.
The avalanche risque in the area was 4 out of 5 on all slope aspects above 1800 meters, with a typical scenarios involving a persistent weak layer beneath wind-blown snow. The bulletin warned of fairly numerous soft and hard snow slabs sitting on the weak layer especially on NW/N/NE aspects. These could be medium (size 2) to large (size 3) slides and up to 1 meter deep. The situation is tricky to estimate as there are few visual clues to the reactivity of the weak layer beyond a snow pit. Harder slabs, formed under the strong winds of the last days can be found above 2500/2800 meters near ridges.
A reminder of off-piste dangers
These successive incidents, following a weekend already marked by several fatal avalanches in Savoie, serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of off-piste skiing. Mountain professionals stress the importance of checking avalanche bulletins, carrying proper safety equipment and adapting plans to current snow and weather conditions.