Heavy snowfall in the European Alps led to more fatalities over the weekend. On Monday, an avalanche derailed a train in Switzerland, while roads and villages near Mont Blanc were closed or evacuated.
Large parts of the western Alps remain at high avalanche risk, following a week where alerts reached the maximum level of 5. Swiss police reported that an avalanche-caused train derailment near Goppenstein injured five people.
This follows several deadly avalanches in recent days involving skiers. On Friday, three skiers, including two Britons, were killed in an avalanche while with an instructor in Val d’Isère, France. A French national skiing alone also died. The instructor, who was unhurt, tested negative for drugs and alcohol. Another Briton sustained minor injuries.
On Sunday, an avalanche killed two skiers on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. It occurred around 11 a.m. on the popular off-piste route Couloir Vesses in Courmayeur.
These latest incidents add to a record 13 off-piste skiers, climbers, and hikers who died in the Italian mountains during the week ending February 8, with 10 killed by avalanches triggered by an exceptionally unstable snowpack.
Recent storms and wind have deposited fresh snow on weak layers, creating dangerous conditions across the Alps bordering France, Switzerland, and Austria. “Under such conditions, the passage of a single skier, or the natural weight of snow, can trigger an avalanche,” said Federico Catania of Italy’s Alpine Rescue Corps.
Avalanche risk level 5, classified as “extraordinary,” warns of numerous large, natural avalanches threatening valley roads and settlements. Skiers and mountaineers are advised to stick to open, safe slopes.
The high risk results from heavy snowfall and strong winds depositing unconsolidated snow on an already unstable base from earlier in the season. “We have had very unstable snow since the beginning of the season,” said Luc Nicolino, slopes manager at La Plagne resort. “It’s like a mille-feuille with many hidden, fragile layers.”
Conditions were already dangerous after Storm Nils last week, which left 60-100 cm of snow, with another 40-50 cm expected in some areas on Monday.
Among those caught in Friday’s avalanches in the French Alps was Daniel Matthews, described as an adventurer.A skier who was buried for eight minutes after the couloir he was skiing collapsed on him has shared his story online. He was eventually dug out by his companions.
“I don’t really know why I’m posting this, but I’ve been getting so many questions about Friday’s avalanche, and honestly, I don’t know how to answer them,” Matthews wrote on Instagram. “Maybe this can help others avoid the mistake I made.
“I made a very bad, uneducated decision to ski Skimans Couloir, just off the Palafour lift in Tignes. I dropped in and did one turn, and the whole couloir collapsed underneath me. I immediately tried to pull my avalanche airbag, but as I fell forward, it became impossible to reach the toggle. I was then quickly thrown into what felt like a washing machine. I just remember falling for about 35 seconds—roughly 400 meters—before coming to a very sudden stop.
“I hope I and others can learn from this. I ignored the clear signs that were there that day, and I paid for it. The only person to blame is myself,” he added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the train derailment and avalanches in Switzerland structured from basic to more detailed questions
Basic Information Immediate Impact
1 What exactly happened in Switzerland
A combination of severe winter weather triggered deadly avalanches in the Swiss Alps Separately a train derailed in the mountainous canton of Grisons While both occurred during the same severe weather event they are distinct incidents
2 Where did these incidents occur
The avalanches impacted various Alpine regions The train derailment happened near the resort of Andermatt in the canton of Grisons in southeastern Switzerland
3 Were the train derailment and avalanches directly connected
Not directly The train derailed due to the extreme weather conditions The avalanches were a separate widespread danger caused by the same storm system They are linked by being consequences of the severe weather not by one causing the other
4 Was anyone hurt or killed
Yes tragically Avalanches caused fatalities and injuries The train derailment resulted in injuries but initial reports indicated no fatalities from that specific event
5 What caused the avalanches
A perfect storm of factors heavy new snowfall landing on an existing weak snow layer combined with strong winds that created unstable snow slabs on steep slopes
Safety Response
6 What is Switzerland doing to help
Swiss authorities including REGA mountain rescue teams and the army were deployed for search and rescue Avalanche warnings were raised to the highest level in affected areas and people were advised to stay off slopes and follow official guidance
7 How common are events like this in the Alps
Avalanches are a natural seasonal hazard in the Alps However an event of this scale with a level 5 danger rating and multiple fatal slides is less common and indicates exceptionally dangerous conditions Serious train incidents in Switzerland are very rare due to stringent safety systems
8 I have a trip planned to the Swiss Alps Should I cancel
You should not cancel outright but you
