British Skier Among Six Fatalities in Devastating French Alps Avalanche Weekend

Tragic Loss in the French Alps

The French Alps experienced a devastating weekend as six skiers died in multiple avalanches, highlighting the deadly risks of off-piste skiing during periods of high avalanche danger. A British skier in his 50s has been killed following an avalanche in the French Alps, marking a tragic reminder of the importance of mountain safety protocols for winter sports enthusiasts.

The La Plagne Incident

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the La Plagne – with emergency services receiving an alert at 1.57pm. Rescue crews discovered the man beneath around 2.5 metres of snow following a near-hour-long search. Despite the efforts of more than 50 personnel, attempts to revive him proved unsuccessful. According to a statement from the south-eastern French resort, the Briton had been skiing “off-piste” at the time.

Critically, he was not carrying the electronic tracking device that enables rescuers to locate buried victims, significantly complicating rescue efforts. When the avalanche struck, the man had been skiing with a group, though without proper safety equipment or professional guidance.

A Weekend of Multiple Tragedies

The British fatality was part of a broader crisis across the region. Three separate avalanches killed three off-piste skiers in the French Alps on Sunday, resort officials said, a day after three skiers died in similar incidents, bringing the weekend toll to six. The deaths came despite alerts from the weather service of a high risk of avalanches and warnings against off-piste skiing.

There has been ‘considerable’ or ‘high’ avalanche risk across may parts of the northern French Alps and Switzerland, following heavy snowfall in recent days. Additional incidents occurred at Courchevel, where another skier’s body was recovered, and at Vallorcine, where a 32-year-old skier died after being thrown into a tree by an avalanche.

Essential Safety Reminders

This tragic weekend underscores the critical importance of mountain safety. Experts urge skiers to carry avalanche transceivers, stay informed about weather warnings, and avoid off-piste terrain during high-risk periods. Professional guidance and proper safety equipment can mean the difference between life and death in avalanche-prone conditions. For those planning alpine skiing holidays, understanding and respecting avalanche warnings is not optional—it is essential for survival.