“Two skiers were hit by an avalanche and killed near the winter sports resort of La Grave.”
At least three people die in two avalanches in the French Alps. In Valloire, districts had to be evacuated and numerous rescue workers were deployed.
February 17, 2026, 6:25 p.mFebruary 17, 2026, 6:49 p.m
At least three people died in two avalanches in the French Alps, and others were injured and rescued from the snow. In the winter sports resort of Valloire in the Savoie region, where the avalanche danger was extremely high, a large avalanche hit a mountain road, as the prefecture announced.
After an extensive rescue operation, one dead and two injured people were recovered, the newspaper “Le Dauphiné Libéré” reported. The ski station was initially closed and two districts with more than 100 holidaymakers and residents were completely evacuated due to the extreme danger. Those affected should be accommodated in other vacation accommodations and with private individuals.
Avalanche hits mountain road
The avalanche occurred spontaneously around midday and the masses of snow fell onto the road at the foot of a mountain slope, the newspaper reported, citing the community. Around 200 military personnel, firefighters and other helpers, including dogs, were involved in the search for buried victims.
Meanwhile, near the winter sports resort of La Grave, two skiers were hit by an avalanche and killed. They were part of a group of five skiers, including a ski instructor, who were off the slopes, reported “Le Dauphiné Libéré” with reference to the public prosecutor’s office. The ski instructor was injured and taken to a clinic, the other two members of the group remained unharmed. The second highest avalanche warning level applied locally.
There is also still an increased risk of avalanches in other parts of the French Alps. Just on Friday, three skiers were killed in an avalanche near the winter sports resort of Val d’Isère. (dpa) (aargauerzeitung.ch)