A British man has tragically died after being caught in an avalanche while skiing off-piste in the French Alps, sparking a major rescue operation.
Major Rescue Effort Launched After Alert
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the popular La Plagne resort in south-eastern France. Rescue teams received an avalanche alert at 1.57pm local time and immediately scrambled to the scene.
A substantial rescue team, comprising around 52 people, was mobilised. This included medics, ski school instructors, and a specially trained piste dog deployed by helicopter to aid in the search for the missing skier.
Victim Found Under Deep Snow
After an intensive search lasting approximately 50 minutes, rescuers located the man. He was buried under 2.5 metres (over 8 feet) of snow. Despite the swift response, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The resort confirmed the victim was a British national, believed to be in his 50s. He was skiing with a group when the avalanche struck. Crucially, the skier was not equipped with an avalanche transceiver and was not accompanied by a professional mountain guide or instructor at the time.
Resort Issues Statement and Safety Reminder
In an official statement, the management of La Plagne expressed their profound condolences. "Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time," a spokesperson said.
While the investigation into the precise cause of the avalanche is ongoing, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of skiing away from marked and secured pistes, especially without essential safety equipment. An avalanche transceiver, which emits a signal to help rescuers locate a buried person, is considered vital kit for anyone venturing into off-piste terrain.
The accident highlights the critical importance of:
- Checking the avalanche risk forecast before any off-piste excursion.
- Carrying essential safety equipment: a transceiver, shovel, and probe.
- Skiing with a qualified professional guide who knows the local terrain and conditions.
- Never skiing off-piste alone.
