Two major avalanches in the French Alps on Tuesday, February 17 2026, have left three people dead and several others injured, as authorities had already warned of a high avalanche risk across much of the mountain range.
One Dead, Three Injured in Valloire
A very large avalanche struck the hamlet of La Rivine late Tuesday morning above the ski resort of Valloire, located in France’s Savoie department. According to local authorities, the avalanche released naturally on the eastern slope of the Sétaz sector, descending approximately 1,000 meters in elevation.
Emergency services confirmed that four people were caught in the slide. One person has died and two are critically injured with a fourth sustaining less serious injuries. The injured victims were transported to hospitals in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Grenoble.
Rescue operations continued until around 5:15 p.m., after a final sweep of the area. At the height of the operation, 200 rescuers were mobilized. Due to the ongoing threat of secondary avalanches, the rescue effort was scaled back around 4 p.m.
Authorities evacuated 56 people, both tourists and residents of the hamlet. The Savoie prefecture urged the public to avoid the area.
Valloire resort announced the closure of its ski area Tuesday afternoon, stating that all staff were assisting with the search for victims caught in an avalanche about 2km north of the ski area. The victims are French nationals, likely holiday makers. They were believed to have been on foot at the time, though authorities have not yet confirmed the circumstances. An investigation has been opened.
Two Skiers Killed in La Grave
Earlier the same morning, a separate large avalanche occurred in the Côte Fine couloir above La Grave, in the Hautes-Alpes department. According to the Gap public prosecutor, a group of five off-piste skiers, including a mountain guide, were caught in the slide. Two men were found in cardiac arrest and pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were Polish nationals, one with British nationality. The guide, a French national, was injured and transported to Grenoble University Hospital. The two other skiers, German and Australia, escaped unharmed.
An investigation into the cause of the avalanche has been opened and assigned to the mountain gendarmerie unit in Briançon. Weather conditions prevented helicopter deployment, forcing rescue teams to proceed on foot. Three specialist mountain rescuers, a doctor, two local guides, six ski patrollers and a search dog handler were mobilized.
The avalanche occurred in a renowned freeride area in the Vallons de la Meije. A Freeride World Tour Qualifier event scheduled there earlier this month had already been canceled due to unsafe snow conditions.
Avalanche Risk Remains High Across the Alps
Authorities had been warning since Sunday evening of a “high” avalanche risk, level 4 out of 5, across most massifs in the Northern and Southern Alps, particularly in Savoie, Haute-Savoie, and the Hautes-Alpes.
According to the avalanche bulletin, fresh snowfall combined with strong northwesterly winds has created very unstable snowpack conditions.
Forecasters warned of:
Between Monday evening and Tuesday evening, an additional 20 to 40 centimeters of snow was expected above 1,800 meters, on top of 50 to 60 centimeters that had already fallen since Sunday night.
Forecasters also cautioned that a warming trend expected Wednesday could further destabilize the snowpack, potentially triggering spontaneous avalanches reaching valley floors.
Authorities continue to urge extreme caution and advise against travel in unsecured mountain terrain as the high avalanche risk persists.