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Five Dead After Weekend Avalanches in French AlpsSavoie Region

Authorities have kept a high avalanche alert in place across Savoie.

Overview

  • Two skiers died on Sunday at La Plagne and Courchevel, adding to three fatalities on Saturday at Val-d’Isère and Arêches-Beaufort.
  • Météo-France maintained level‑4 avalanche danger on a 0–5 scale following heavy snowfall from storm Goretti.
  • Several incidents occurred off marked runs; the Val-d’Isère victims lacked beacons and were located by mobile phones under about 2.5 meters of snow, and La Plagne reported its victim had no transceiver.
  • Prefectural alerts logged at least six avalanches by midday Sunday as responders deployed helicopters, search dogs, and 52 rescuers in the La Plagne operation.
  • Injuries included a companion hospitalized in serious condition at Arêches‑Beaufort, an injured skier in Tignes‑le‑Lac, and a snowboarder treated for hypothermia.