Six off-piste skiers were killed in a series of avalanches across the French Alps over the weekend, despite repeated warnings from meteorological authorities about exceptionally dangerous snow conditions.
Resort officials confirmed that three skiers died on Sunday, January 11, following three separate avalanche incidents, a day after three others lost their lives in similar circumstances.
The deaths underscore the heightened risks facing winter sports enthusiasts venturing beyond marked ski runs during periods of unstable weather and heavy snowfall.
French weather forecasters had issued alerts throughout the weekend, warning of a high avalanche risk and urging skiers to avoid off-piste terrain.
One of Sunday’s fatalities involved a British skier, believed to be around 50 years old, who was skiing off-piste near the La Plagne resort. According to a statement from resort authorities, the man was caught in an avalanche and buried beneath approximately 2.5 meters (eight feet) of snow.
More than 50 rescuers were deployed in a large-scale operation that lasted nearly an hour. Despite being located and pulled from the snow, the skier could not be resuscitated.
In a separate incident, rescue teams recovered the body of another skier buried by an avalanche in Courchevel, one of France’s most popular ski resorts. Officials provided few details about the victim, but confirmed that the avalanche occurred in off-piste terrain, where snow conditions were particularly unstable.
A third avalanche on Sunday claimed the life of a 32-year-old skier in Vallorcine, located in the Haute-Savoie region of the Alps. Local gendarmerie said the skier was caught while traveling off-piste, adding to the growing list of casualties linked to the hazardous conditions.
Saturday had already seen two separate avalanches kill three off-piste skiers in different areas of the French Alps, bringing the weekend death toll to six.
Authorities in the Savoie department reported that at least six avalanches were recorded in ski areas on Sunday morning alone, reflecting the severity of the situation.
Experts say recent weather patterns, including heavy snowfall followed by shifting temperatures and strong winds, have created highly unstable snow layers. Such conditions significantly increase the likelihood of avalanches, particularly in steep, ungroomed areas outside official ski runs.
French authorities once again stressed the importance of adhering to safety advisories, noting that off-piste skiing carries inherent risks even for experienced skiers equipped with safety gear. Mountain rescue officials urged visitors to respect closures, monitor avalanche bulletins, and avoid unnecessary exposure during periods of elevated danger.
As winter tourism continues in the Alps, the tragic events of this weekend serve as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the potentially fatal consequences of ignoring avalanche warnings.