Overview
- Regional services kept level‑4 warnings in many sectors of western Austria and France, with some areas in the Allgäu and parts of Switzerland downgraded to considerable risk.
- Seven people died over the weekend—four on Sunday and three on Saturday—with fatalities reported in La Plagne, Courchevel, Vallorcine and in Tyrol’s Weerberg.
- Rescue teams conducted major operations with helicopters and avalanche dogs; Savoie’s prefect reported six incidents before midday on Sunday.
- Experts point to wind‑drifted snow over weak layers from the recent cold spell, creating sensitive slabs that can release under small additional loads, especially in lee gullies and above the treeline.
- Authorities advise staying on secured pistes and checking local avalanche bulletins, noting conditions remain elevated into Monday and Tuesday.