A 55-year-old skier lost his life on Tuesday in a massive avalanche that struck in the Mont-Blanc Massif, specifically the Grands Montets ski area on the NW facing Herse sector, according to emergency services and the Haute-Savoie Prefecture. The avalanche, described as "very large" by authorities, measured approximately one kilometer in length and 400 meters in width.
The avalanche occurred late in the afternoon, discovered by ski patrol teams as they were closing the resort. The victim, found deceased by rescue teams, was skiing off-piste in a section of the domain that had been closed due to the high avalanche risk. Poor weather conditions, including dense clouds and whiteout visibility, made it impossible to determine the exact origin of the avalanche.
The Prefecture of Haute-Savoie emphasized the high avalanche risk on Tuesday, rated at 4 out of 5 on the avalanche scale. For Wednesday, the risk has decreased slightly but remains "Considerable" at level 3 out of 5 for the Mont-Blanc, Aravis, Chablais, and Bauges massifs.
In a statement, the Haute-Savoie authorities urged all mountain-goers to exercise extreme caution and strictly follow safety guidelines provided by ski resorts and public services. They noted the instability of the snowpack and highlighted the ongoing threat of additional avalanches.
Avalanche Bulletin Details
According to the avalanche bulletin, the unstable snowpack is characterized by recent windblown snow accumulations, with 20–30 cm of fresh snow observed at elevations above 2,500 meters. Conditions have been exacerbated by strong Foehn and southwest winds, creating fragile snow slabs on multiple slope aspects, particularly in wind-loaded areas. The Meteo France avalanche bulletin for Tuesday gave the risk as Considerable (3) for Tuesday not High as stated by the prefecture.
Skier Triggered avalanches remain a serious risk
Slab avalanches are possible on all orientations but are particularly likely in wind-exposed zones above 2,200 meters, with potential fracture depths in accumulation areas. Above 2,300–2,500 meters, areas like Miages, Tondu, and Loriaz are particularly hazardous, with thicker and larger slabs forming due to recent snowfall combined with strong winds. The Prefecture reiterated that despite a slight drop in the avalanche risk level for Wednesday, the mountain conditions remain perilous. Skier and hiker vigilance is critical.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by unstable snowpack and severe weather conditions in the mountains. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the avalanche.
