Яндекс.Метрика
2026-02-16

Evacuation Ordered for Swiss Mountain Village Amid Elevated Avalanche Danger





The cantonal police of Wallis/Valais has issued an evacuation order for multiple neighborhoods in the mountain village La Fouly in the Swiss canton of Wallis/Valais following heavy snowfall, strong winds, and additional precipitation forecast in the coming hours.



Related: Entire Swiss Mountain Village Evacuated as Serious Landslide Risk Looms



The evacuation affects:



Buildings located in blue and red avalanche hazard zones on the Plateau de l’A Neuvaz

The hamlet of Clou / Les Granges

The village of Ferret



Access to the local cross-country ski track and snowshoe trail has also been closed.





The order takes effect Monday, February 16, at 11 a.m. and will remain in place until further notice, but no later than Wednesday, February 18, at 10 a.m., according to municipal officials.

La Fouly is a small alpine village in the Swiss canton of Walli/Valais, near the French and Italian borders. It sits at the eastern end of the Val Ferret, beneath the Mont Blanc massif.



There are three ski areas in the region which are part of the Ski St. Bernard ski area, managed by two ski lift companies, offering a total of 113 kilometers (70 miles) of groomed runs between 1,490 to 2,267 meters (4,888 – 7,438 feet) serviced by 17 ski lifts. The La Fouly ski area is a small, family-friendly ski area, but the surrounding terrain includes steep alpine slopes and avalanche-prone couloirs typical of the Mont Blanc region. The area is well known for backcountry touring, cross-country skiing, and access to classic European ski terrain rather than large-scale lift infrastructure. It is roughly 45 minutes from Verbier, Switzerland, and an hour from Chamonix, France.









The cantonal police cited the combination of heavy recent snowfall, strong winds, and continued incoming precipitation as key factors in the decision. Wind loading and rapid accumulation significantly increase slab formation and avalanche risk, particularly in known hazard zones.



The western Alps have experienced a volatile snowpack this season, with multiple avalanche incidents across the region in recent days. After little to no snowfall in December, regions were hammered by snowstorms in January and now again in February, causing unstable snowpack and at times extreme avalanche danger. Avalanche deaths in France and Italy this season are above the 10-year annual average despite only being mid-way through the winter season.



Related: Massive Avalanche Hits Val Veny, Courmayeur, Italy: 2 Confirmed Dead, 1 in Critical Condition



The current evacuation comes as a new storm is sweeping across the European Alps. The last few days brought around 80-100 centimeters (32-40 inches) of snowfall to the region and roughly the same amount is anticipated to fall in the next few days.

The cantonal police of Wallis/Valais are urging residents and visitors to comply fully with the evacuation order and to monitor official updates as the storm cycle continues.



The post Evacuation Ordered for Swiss Mountain Village Amid Elevated Avalanche Danger appeared first on SnowBrains.

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