Avalanches in Savoie: Man Critically Injured in Val Thorens, Ski Resorts Confined and Travel Disrupted

Heavy snowfall over recent days in the Savoie region has triggered a series of avalanches, prompting authorities to issue an orange avalanche alert. In Val Thorens, where the avalanche risk has reached its highest level (5/5), a man was buried under snow on Thursday, April 17. He was found in cardiac arrest by rescue teams and airlifted to Grenoble University Hospital. His condition is critical. A second person, trapped in her car, managed to escape on her own.

In total, four avalanches have been reported in the area: two in Val Thorens and two more in Les Menuires.

Resorts Confined, Ski Areas Closed

The ski resort of Val Thorens has been placed under lockdown “until further notice,” as has the resort of Tignes, where over one meter of snow has fallen at an altitude of 2,100 meters. Temporary movement within districts was allowed before another lockdown was imposed from 8 p.m.

Several ski areas have been temporarily closed, including La Plagne, where snow accumulation reached up to 95 cm at 3,000 meters.

Power Outages and Ongoing Weather Warnings

The weather system, named Hans, combined with a strong return flow from the east, brought significant snow accumulation across the southern Alps and Corsica. As a result, around 5,400 households in Savoie and about 1,000 in the Chamonix area (Haute-Savoie) were left without power, according to utility provider Enedis.

Although the orange alert was lifted at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Météo-France continues to urge caution, particularly in the Haute-Tarentaise, Haute-Maurienne, and Vanoise mountain ranges. Spontaneous avalanches could still occur during sunny spells expected Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

Authorities remain on high alert: 130 gendarmes have been deployed across the department to assist residents, while road conditions remain severely disrupted.