Deadly Avalanches Strike French Alps

A renewed spate of fatal avalanches in the French Alps has claimed the lives of two skiers in separate incidents, heightening concern among mountain safety authorities as winter conditions remain volatile across the Alpine range. The deaths occurred on Monday at different off-piste locations, only days after two more skiers were killed during ski-touring outings over the weekend, underlining the persistent dangers facing winter sports enthusiasts beyond marked pistes.

According to local police cited by AFP, a 38-year-old skier was killed when an avalanche swept across a slope near Saint-Agnès, close to Grenoble. The victim had been skiing off-piste with a companion who narrowly escaped and was later recovered unharmed by rescue teams. Mountain rescue officials said the pair were traversing an exposed section where recent snowfall had accumulated on top of older, compacted layers of snow, creating unstable conditions prone to sudden collapse.

In a separate incident near the village of Montgenèvre, close to the Italian border, another skier in his thirties died after being caught by a large avalanche while skiing off-piste. His companion managed to avoid the main slide and survived without serious injury. Rescue teams were deployed swiftly but were unable to revive the victim, who had been buried beneath a dense mass of snow. Authorities noted that the area had experienced shifting winds and fluctuating temperatures in the preceding days, factors known to increase avalanche risk by weakening the cohesion between snow layers.

These latest deaths follow a tragedy on Saturday near Saint-Véran, recognised as the highest permanently inhabited village in the French Alps, where two ski tourers were killed in a separate avalanche. In response, local prefectures reiterated warnings to skiers and mountaineers, urging them to heed daily avalanche bulletins, carry appropriate safety equipment, and avoid high-risk terrain, particularly in off-piste zones where snow stability is not controlled or groomed.

Experts from regional avalanche monitoring services explained that recent weather patterns — including heavy snowfall followed by brief thaws and strong winds — have created dangerous slab formations across multiple Alpine slopes. Even experienced skiers can misjudge such conditions, especially in remote areas where rescue response times may be longer.

Authorities across the Alpine countries have reported a worrying cumulative toll this season. While exact figures vary by region and reporting period, officials estimate that at least 20 skiers have died in avalanche-related incidents across France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria since the start of the winter season. The incidents have prompted renewed calls for stricter adherence to safety protocols, including the use of avalanche transceivers, probes and airbags, as well as participation in guided tours led by certified mountain professionals.

Avalanche-related Fatalities in the Alps (Current Season)

Mountain safety agencies continue to stress that the remainder of the winter season may remain hazardous, particularly as changing temperatures can rapidly destabilise snowpacks. They advise skiers to monitor local risk levels closely, avoid unnecessary exposure to steep, ungroomed slopes, and prioritise safety over adventure when conditions are uncertain.