Fatal Avalanche in Courchevel

The mountain rescue team was alerted by a British skier around 1pm after an avalanche occurred at les Lanches sector, near to Col de la Loze between Méribel and Courchevel. The avalanche was reported to be around 300m long and 50m wide.

Despite first aid been given by the skier who gave the alert, the victim could not be revived.

Initial reports say the victim was skiing alone and without an avalanche transmitter, in an area which had been previously taken by other skiers.
Albertville Public Prosecutor’s Department has ordered an inquest into the death. It said the initial findings were: “a snow cornice broke away above, setting off an avalanche which carried the skier over a cliff”.

The avalanche risk off-piste was rated on Saturday as high, at level four on the scale of five. Météo France on Saturday had recommended “the greatest prudence for mountain activities taking place away from the open, marked ski runs.”

Source France 3