French mountain rescue is asking the public for help locating a 21-year-old skier who went missing Friday, March 13, in the mountains above Chamonix, France.
The PGHM Chamonix (Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne), the elite mountain rescue unit responsible for the Mont Blanc Massif, issued a call for witnesses on social media after the man was last seen around 12:30–12:49 p.m. on Friday, March 13 near Col des Crochues. PGHM Chamonix believes the skier may have continued traveling toward either the Col de Bérard, the Arlevé Valley, or the Vallon de Bérard. The initial search area also includes terrain between the summit of the Index Chairlift and Lac Blanc.
The missing man is described as 21 years old, approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.68 meters) tall, with chestnut-blond hair and a beard. He was reportedly wearing a turquoise-blue fleece hoodie or black jacket, black ski pants, a black Quiksilver cap, and orange-framed glasses.
According to PGHM, the skier was carrying a significant amount of mountain equipment, including a pair of Black Crows alpine skis, alpine ski boots, La Sportiva mountaineering boots, orange snowshoes, crampons, and an ice axe.
The mountain rescue organization believes that several people were in the Col de Bérard area around the time he may have passed through and are hoping those individuals may be able to provide information about his movements.
Authorities are asking anyone who was skiing or traveling in the area Friday afternoon and believes they may have seen someone matching the description to contact PGHM Chamonix immediately at +33 4 50 53 16 89.
The region around Col des Crochues and Lac Blanc is a popular backcountry zone above Chamonix that attracts ski tourers and off-piste skiers due to its steep terrain and access from the Flégère lift system. However, the terrain is complex and exposed, particularly in winter conditions. Flégère is part of the Brévent–Flégère ski domain overlooking the Chamonix Valley, an area known for steep alpine terrain and exposure to natural avalanche paths
Search efforts remain ongoing as rescuers attempt to determine the skier’s route and last known position.
