A major rockfall on the RN 90 road near Aigueblanche, France, has caused significant disruption to traffic access to some of the region’s top ski resorts, with authorities now predicting that the road may not fully reopen in time for the February school holidays.
On Saturday, February 3, three large rocks fell from a cliff onto the road around 10.30am, injuring a 62-year-old woman, who was taken to Albertville hospital with minor injuries.
The incident has left hundreds of skiers and vacationers stranded, with many seeking refuge in emergency accommodations for the night.
The RN 90 is a critical route for visitors heading to major ski resorts in the French Alps, including Val Thorens, Courchevel, Meribel, and La Plagne.
The disruption has caused severe delays, with traffic flows drastically reduced. La Plagne’s mayor, Jean-Luc Bloch, confirmed on Sunday that the volume of vehicles on the road had dropped from 2,200 an hour to just 900, and he was “almost certain” that the road would not be fully open in time for the February 8th start of the half-term holidays for the north and south-east of France (Zone B).
As of Saturday evening, the road had been partially reopened, but the authorities have warned that repairs and safety assessments will take longer than anticipated.
“Geologists will need to carry out a more detailed analysis to understand the cause of the rockfall and assess the stability of the slopes above the road,” said François Ravier, Préfet for the Savoie region.
The ongoing safety checks could delay any further progress on the road’s reopening. With up to 40,000 skiers and snowboarders expected to arrive at the resorts over the peak February holiday period, the authorities are bracing for more disruption.
While there are alternative routes to some resorts, the RN 90 is the only major access road to the Tarentaise ski resorts, and diversions through the Ponserand tunnel have been implemented. However, the tunnel’s limited capacity has only compounded the delays.
Many travellers are also finding limited availability for alternative transportation, with train services already heavily booked.
With the road expected to remain closed for an extended period, UK holidaymakers planning to travel to the resorts ahead of the UK half-term holiday, which runs from February 14th to February 21st, face potential challenges.
While authorities hope the road will reopen before then, there is no confirmed date for full access. The RN 90 has long been a bottleneck during peak ski seasons, with heavy traffic exacerbated by adverse weather conditions.
Some resorts are now lobbying for a more permanent solution, such as the construction of a tunnel, which would require a significant investment of tens of millions of euros.
“The tourism economy generates a lot of tax revenue and provides a livelihood for the whole valley, so it’s in our interest to do it,” said a representative from La Plagne.
For now, ski enthusiasts and holidaymakers are urged to plan ahead and consider alternative routes, as the authorities continue to assess the situation and work towards restoring normal traffic flows.
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