Industry News
A skier in his fifties died on Tuesday morning, March 4, after a catastrophic fall on a steep black run in La Plagne, a ski resort in the French Alps. The accident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. on the The resort of La Plagne is in mourning following the death of a skier on Tuesday, March 4 on the Bellecôte black run, according to a press release from the resort’s ski patrol.
The man, a father from Vienna, Austria, on vacation with his two teenage children, was attempting to reach one of them after they had fallen near the start of the black run. As he navigated the steep slope, which is said to have a gradient between 30 -40°, he lost control after passing over a mogul, tumbling forward and sliding nearly 300 meters (1,000 feet) down the steep slope.
Rescuers arrived quickly and found the skier in cardio-respiratory arrest, suffering from multiple traumatic injuries despite wearing a helmet. A medical professional on-site assisted ski patrollers in providing emergency care, but despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead half an hour later. His two children, who witnessed the accident, were unharmed and later reunited with their mother at the resort, where a psychological support unit has been set up.
The black run where the accident occurred is known for its technical difficulty and history of serious incidents. Steep, fast, and requiring expert-level control, the slope poses significant challenges, particularly in variable snow conditions.
La Plagne, part of the expansive Paradiski area, is one of France’s most popular ski destinations, attracting skiers from around the world with its 225 miles (425 km) of pistes. While the resort is well-known for its family-friendly slopes, it also offers a selection of demanding expert terrain, including steep black runs and off-piste routes. La Plagne has a total of 17 black runs mostly around Aime 2000 / Biolley and on the Glacier Bellecôte.
Authorities have not yet provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the accident, but the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in navigating extreme terrain.
