On December 23, two adolescents aged 12 and 17 were injured when they were caught by an avalanche at Val d'Isère, Savoie. The incident occurred around 1:20 PM when the siblings were skiing off-piste with their father, who played a heroic role by rescuing them before ski patrol arrived.
According to reports, the avalanche occurred in the Spatule area, and the children fell approximately 150 meters. While the younger brother was completely buried by the snow, the elder sibling managed to stay on the surface during the avalanche.
Thanks to the foresight of their father, who was with them and equipped with avalanche detectors, the father's prompt action allowed him to save his children from more severe consequences. "One was completely buried by the snow, whereas the other was able to stay on the surface," said Cédric Bonnevie, director of the Val d'Isère ski patrol. The ski patrol quickly took over the situation after the father’s intervention.
Initially, emergency rescue operations faced challenges due to adverse weather conditions, with no helicopter support possible. The elder brother sustained an injury to his leg from hitting trees, and the younger one suffered head trauma when his helmet was removed during the slide.
"There was no urgent threat to life," stated authorities at the scene. Both adolescent victims were quickly transported to the medical center within the station for evaluation and treatment.
Weather conditions leading up to the incident were severe, with Météo France indicating 43 centimeters of fresh snow had accumulated by the previous evening and predicting another 20 to 40 centimeters were expected throughout December 23. Areas across the Haut-Tarentaise region had been placed on high alert with avalanche risks rated at 4 out of 5.
The current state of the snowpack has been described as unstable and dangerous due to high moisture content exacerbated by wind, making it more vulnerable to triggering avalanches. Skiing and snowshoeing at elevations above 1,850 meters was strongly discouraged, with Météo France issuing warnings urging tourists to exercise extreme caution.
"The forecast indicated significant avalanche risk, and the conditions were challenging due to the heavy snowfall and wind," said Météo France. Cédric Bonnevie echoed this concern, mentioning, "Tomorrow will be clear. Nevertheless, the risk of avalanche will not be reduced. This episode of snow has been remarkable, and we must be aware of the potential for large avalanches to occur throughout the area."
Visitors at Val d'Isère are advised to stay informed and vigilant during their skiing activities, particularly during challenging weather conditions. The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and recommend checking weather updates and avalanche risks frequently before heading out on the slopes.
