The mayor of La Clusaz has issued a municipal decree banning off-piste skiing within the resort’s ski area, as avalanche risk in the Aravis remains at the maximum level of 5 out of 5 on Friday morning.
Mayor Didier Thévenet said the unprecedented measure was justified by exceptional circumstances. “I have taken an exceptional order for a situation that is just as exceptional,” he explained.
Avalanche danger is currently at its highest level not only in the Aravis range but across much of Haute-Savoie and Savoie, following unusually heavy snowfall. Since the start of the winter season, avalanches have claimed 28 lives in the French Alps. The mayor said his priority is to prevent another tragedy
Under the new order, off-piste skiing accessible from ski lifts is prohibited in the sectors of l’Étale, l’Aiguille and Balme. Thévenet warned that off-piste areas close to marked runs pose a serious threat not only to those venturing beyond the slopes, but also to skiers below. There have been cases in the past of avalanches triggered off piste crossing open ski runs in the domain. He added that the recent snowfall requires firm decisions to prevent skiers from being caught in avalanches and to avoid putting rescue teams at unnecessary risk.
While enforcing the ban in practice may prove difficult, the mayor hopes the measure will raise awareness of the dangers. In the event of an accident, the municipality will at least have clearly communicated the risks and demonstrated that it took preventive action. Off-piste skiing, at any avalanche level, is not illegal in France so the ban is controversial. However mayors are responsible for the security in their commune and can proscribe activities and areas that respond to an immediate danger as long as the bans are limited in scope.