Яндекс.Метрика
2025-02-06

Seasoned Mountain Guide Killed in Avalanche Near Chamonix, France



A seasoned mountain guide was found dead late Tuesday night, February 4, after an avalanche buried him while backcountry skiing near the Les Houches ski resort in Haute-Savoie in France. The 59-year-old had set out alone on the slopes of Mont Lachat, an area he knew well. An alarm was raised by concerned friends around 4:30 p.m. when he failed to return, prompting a large-scale search operation led by the Chamonix High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM). As darkness fell, rescue teams struggled to locate him. A specialized team from Grenoble was deployed to track his phone signal, which was detected in an empty void, leading searchers to focus on a remote combe. There, they discovered evidence of a fresh avalanche.



Related: British Skier Killed by Massive Avalanche Over 3,000 Feet Long in Chamonix, France



After hours of searching, the body of Christophe Bressand, a veteran guide and technology teacher at Jeanne d’Arc private college in Chamonix, was located just before midnight, buried beneath the snow at an altitude of over 1,400 meters (4,600 feet). He was found thanks to his avalanche beacon, which allowed rescuers to pinpoint his location. His remains were transported by helicopter to the Bois base in Chamonix.

Bressand’s death marks the third avalanche fatality in the Chamonix valley in just over a week, following deadly incidents in the Grands Montets and Posettes areas. Notably, the avalanche risk bulletin on the day of the accident had indicated only a moderate hazard level (Level 2 out of 5). Due to the nighttime conditions, rescuers could not immediately determine Bressand’s exact position when the avalanche struck.

Les Houches, a picturesque ski resort in the Mont Blanc region, is known for its tree-lined slopes and challenging off-piste terrain. While popular among families and intermediate skiers, it also attracts experienced backcountry enthusiasts drawn to its steep descents and remote couloirs. The resort offers stunning views over the Aiguilles de Chamonix. The village of Les Houches is overlooked by an 82-foot statue of Christ, reminiscent of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.



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