Яндекс.Метрика
2026-02-14

Extreme Caution Urged: Major Avalanche Conditions Grip the French Alps





If you’re headed to the Alps this Valentine’s Day weekend, you may want to rethink those off-piste plans. Meteo France issued a Special Avalanche Statement on Friday, February 13, warning of a strong avalanche risk (4 out of 5) across the majority of the French Alps for Saturday, February 14. Level 4 is the highest rating on the European avalanche danger scale for accidental human-triggered slides.



Related: French Ski Resorts Close Due to Extreme Avalanche Danger



Translation: conditions are primed, and it won’t take much to set something off.

Where the Danger Is Highest

The strong (4/5) rating applies to:

Haute-Savoie



Mont-Blanc

Chablais

Aravis



Savoie



Haute-Tarentaise

Beaufortain

Vanoise

Maurienne

Haute-Maurienne



Isère



Grandes-Rousses

Oisans



Southern Alps



Champsaur

Pelvoux

Thabor

Queyras

Embrunais-Parpaillon

Ubaye



In short, it’s widespread.



What’s Going On?

According to Météo-France, the snowpack remains very unstable above 1,800 to 2,000 meters (5,900-6,600 feet). Avalanches can still be easily triggered by skiers, snowboarders, and mountaineers — and they may involve very large volumes of snow.

The culprit is a potent combo:



Heavy snowfall since the evening of Tuesday, February 10

Strong winds associated with Storm Niles

Significant wind loading in exposed terrain

Recent snow sitting on top of weak, buried layers that have persisted for weeks



That’s a classic recipe for large slab avalanches. Even though the skies may clear and powder fever sets in, the snowpack hasn’t had time to stabilize. Wind slabs and deep instabilities remain a serious concern.



What To Do This Weekend

Extreme caution is recommended for any mountain activity outside marked and secured ski slopes.

Officials urge backcountry users to consult Avalanche Risk Estimation Bulletins via the Météo-France mountain page or mobile app and to check in locally with mountain professionals before heading out.

Rember: Level 4 doesn’t mean “impossible.” It means human-triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches remain possible.

Friday saw three skiers perish in Val d’Isère in the Savoie region, taking the death toll for the year to 22. The 10-year average annual for avalanche deaths lies at 21.6 for the hydrological year, putting this year on track to being an unfortunate record year, considering we are in mid-February still and avalanche deaths can happen until May.



Related: 2 British Tourists Die in Massive Avalanche That Killed 3 in Val d’Isere, France





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