American Ski Mountaineer Falls to Death in Cosmiques Couloir – Chamonix, France

An American skier died yesterday, Sunday, after falling “hundreds of meters” while skiing off the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix, France with friends according to BFM TV.  The Aiguille du Midi is located on the Mt. Blanc Massif.

The 37-year-old fell down the no fall zone of Cosmiques Couloir.  

Initial investigations by special mountain police are reporting that the skier made a “technical error” that resulted in his fatal fall in the Cosmiques Couloir.  It’s believed that he died instantly.

The accident took place at 3,100m (10,170′) in Cosmiques.

Cosmiques Couloir is a very famous ski descent on the Mt. Blanc Massif and is easily reached via the Auiguille du Midi tram. The couloir is steep and rocky and much of it is a no fall zone.

Over 100 skiers died in France in 2015.

On average, about 70 people die in the French Alps each year.