Five Skiers Die in Devastating French Alps Avalanches

Tragedy struck the French Alps on Wednesday as two separate avalanches led to the deaths of five skiers, prompting investigations into off-piste skiing safety. Local officials confirmed that four Norwegian skiers lost their lives in Val-Cenis, located in the southeast Savoie region. One skier, a Swiss national, perished in the Haute-Savoie region, close to Chamonix.

The Norwegian group was skiing off-piste when they were engulfed by a significant avalanche. Three skiers died immediately, while a woman succumbed to severe hypothermia in a local hospital. Mayor Jacques Arnoux of Val-Cenis reported that the group was equipped with avalanche beacons, which are crucial for navigating high-risk snow-covered areas. He characterized the incident as a “very large” avalanche triggered outside the designated ski areas.

In a separate incident further north, a 30-year-old Swiss woman, skiing with her father and brother—who were also off-piste—suffered a fatal accident. Anti-avalanche airbags were being utilized by the family, highlighting the unpredictable nature of skiing in unregulated terrains. Additionally, a 55-year-old skier with dual Brazilian-Portuguese nationality succumbed to a similar fate the previous day, underscoring the dangers of off-piste skiing in the region. Rescue teams responded promptly to both incidents, as skiers and officials alike mourn the tragic losses.