Avalanche
A series of avalanches swept through Val Thorens ski area in the French Alps today, leaving one person critically injured and forcing the closure of the entire ski area as authorities raised the avalanche risk to its highest level, PisteHors reports.
Local officials reported that a person was buried under snow at the entrance to the resort early in the day. Emergency teams from the Albertville gendarmerie and mountain rescue units responded swiftly, recovering the victim in cardiac arrest. The individual was transported to Grenoble hospital and remains in critical condition.
Four avalanches struck the region during the morningโtwo in Val Thorens and two in neighboring Les Menuiresโfollowing days of exceptionally heavy snowfall. Meteorological and avalanche experts described the event as an โextreme weather-snowfall event,โ with over three feet (one meter) of fresh snow at high elevations.
After observing large avalanches, authorities raised the risk to level 5 out of 5 at 6 a.m., the highest possible rating. The ski area was closed immediately, and a progressive reopening is planned for April 18, contingent on weather and safety assessments by the lift management company SETAM.
- Related: Skier Buried Under 3-Feet of Snow After Inbounds Avalanche on Opening Day at Val Thorens, France
A safety lockdown remains in place across Val Thorens, with residents and visitors strongly advised to stay inside secure buildings such as lodgings, shops, and schools. While this is not a formal stay-at-home order, it is a collective response to the ongoing threat of further avalanches, even within the resort perimeter.
“Due to the ongoing heavy snowfall, residents of Val Thorens are being asked to remain confined to their homes until further notice. Thank you for your vigilance and understanding.”
– City Hall statement
The road linking Les Menuires and Val Thorens has been closed, with reopening dependent on safety evaluations. The Savoie prefecture has warned that avalanche risk will remain extremely high in the coming days and urges the public to avoid all mountain activities outside secured ski slopes.
Avalanche bulletins warn of numerous large, spontaneous slides capable of reaching valley floors and ski infrastructure.ย Deep, reactive snow slabs poseย a high risk of accidental release. The snowpack remains unstable, and authorities emphasize the importance of heeding all safety warnings in the days ahead. Several other French resorts have indicated that they have closed their ski areas for the day due to the risk of avalanches.
