CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — A sweeping avalanche this week shocked onlookers as it thundered down the Italian Alps, engulfing skiers who scrambled to escape the cascading snow. This incident adds to a grim tally of avalanche-related deaths across Europe this winter, with at least 88 fatalities recorded thus far.
In a particularly tragic week, Italy experienced its deadliest avalanche events, claiming 13 lives, with ten victims lost to avalanches. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, a train derailed in the Valais region, injuring five people amid the issuance of the area’s most severe avalanche warning. The French Alps are also grappling with a surge in fatalities, with 27 deaths reported this season, including three British skiers in the past week. This marks the highest death toll for France since the 2020-2021 season, when 40 people died in similar incidents.
Weather agencies across Europe have been on high alert, issuing severe warnings for areas prone to avalanche danger. As of Wednesday, Aineva, an Italian snow forecasting agency, noted an avalanche risk level of 4 out of 5 in several Alpine regions bordering France, Switzerland, and Austria. The Swiss Alps, which have recorded 13 deaths this season, remain under high alert as weather conditions create a perfect storm for large avalanches, often triggered by a single skier.
Search and rescue operations, particularly in Italy, have intensified as emergency responders scramble to locate individuals caught in the slides. Experts warn that the current snowfall patterns have rendered the snowpack unusually unstable, leading to an increased risk of avalanches this season. Henry Schniewind, an avalanche specialist, highlighted that conditions are exacerbated by a “persistent weak layer” of snow, making the upper layers prone to slides when heavy snowfall occurs.
Schniewind explained that while snowfall itself can create dangerous conditions, the situation is worsened by a lack of time for snowpacks to stabilize after weather disturbances. He emphasized that the recent increase in avalanche deaths can be attributed to weather patterns that create unstable layers, particularly in the northern French Alps and surrounding regions.
The growing popularity of off-piste skiing is also contributing to the risk, as many skiers often disregard avalanche warnings in favor of fresh tracks in the snow. According to Schniewind, roughly 90 to 95 percent of avalanche victims are those who trigger the avalanche themselves or those in their groups. He cautioned that just because an avalanche does not occur immediately does not mean the conditions are safe.
Adding another dimension to the risk, researchers are scrutinizing the impact of climate change on avalanche frequency and intensity. Warmer temperatures may paradoxically increase the risk of avalanches at higher altitudes, as rising temperatures can lead to more intense snowfall and the potential for “wet” avalanches, characterized by heavier, water-laden snow. As key ski resorts in the Alps lie at elevations exceeding 2,500 meters, these concerns have become increasingly relevant.
French meteorological authorities issued a red alert shortly before three skiers perished while skiing off-piste near Val d’Isère. With 60 percent of the resort’s terrain resting above 2,500 meters, the risk from avalanches remains critical.
As the winter ski season unfolds, the increasing prevalence of avalanches prompts important discussions about safety and environmental considerations. Skiers are urged to remain vigilant and to understand the escalating dangers presented by changing climate conditions that could alter established safety protocols.