Europe's Alpine Crisis: Avalanche Danger Claims 88 Lives This Winter
Europe's mountainous regions are experiencing one of their most perilous winters in recent memory, with a devastating toll of 88 ski-related fatalities recorded so far this season. The crisis has been marked by multiple severe avalanche incidents across the Alps, prompting weather agencies to issue repeated high-level alerts throughout February 2026.
Record Deaths and Dramatic Incidents
Italy suffered its worst mountain death toll in recent history last week when 13 people perished, including ten victims of avalanches. Meanwhile, France has recorded at least 27 fatalities this year, marking the country's highest avalanche death count since the 2020-2021 season when 40 people lost their lives. Among the French victims were three British skiers who died within the past week.
The danger extended beyond skiing when a train derailed in Switzerland's Valais region, injuring five people. This incident occurred shortly after authorities had issued their most severe avalanche warning for the area, highlighting how the mountain instability is affecting multiple forms of transportation and activity.
Unstable Snow Conditions Create Perfect Storm
Weather conditions across the Alps have created what experts describe as the "perfect breeding ground" for massive avalanches. Henry Schniewind, a leading snow and avalanche expert who runs the advisory website Henry's Avalanche Talk, explains that this winter has seen "exceptionally unstable" snowfall patterns.
"Generally once every five or ten years, we have a tremendously unstable snow pack, something which has been plaguing us since the beginning of the season," Schniewind states, referring specifically to the northern French Alps and surrounding regions.
The problem stems from what scientists call a "persistent weak layer" in the snowpack, where snow becomes less dense and more fragile at deeper levels. This phenomenon occurs when a thin initial snow layer produces weak, sugary crystals that create instability when heavier snowfall settles on top.
Climate Change's Counterintuitive Impact
While many might assume that global warming would reduce avalanche risks through decreased snowfall, experts warn that climate change is actually increasing dangers at higher altitudes. Nicolas Eckert, an environmental researcher at the University of Grenoble-Alpes, explains that rising temperatures can lead to more intense snowfall at elevations above 2,000 meters and increase the risk of "wet" avalanches.
"Wet avalanches are denser and can therefore exert greater pressure and impact," Eckert emphasizes. This is particularly concerning for Alpine ski resorts, many of which operate on peaks ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 meters in elevation.
Rising Popularity of Off-Piste Skiing
Compounding the natural dangers is the growing trend of off-piste skiing and ski touring, which has led to more people taking risks in unstable mountain areas. Schniewind notes that approximately 90 to 95 percent of avalanche victims trigger the slides themselves or through members of their group.
"The reason that's on the rise is just because off-piste and ski touring have increased in popularity over the last couple decades," he explains. "People are doing the same things that they've done over the last five years, but because of the environment now, it's more unstable than usual, and people aren't changing their behavior accordingly."
Widespread High Alert Status
Weather agencies across Europe have maintained elevated alert levels throughout the crisis. Italy's snow forecaster Aineva has maintained avalanche risk at level 4 out of 5 across several Alpine regions bordering France, Switzerland, and Austria. Similarly, the vast majority of the Swiss Alps remains under high alert, according to the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, which has recorded 13 deaths in Switzerland this season.
France's Meteo France issued a red alert for avalanches just one day before three skiers were killed while off-piste skiing near the luxury resort of Val d'Isère, where approximately 60 percent of skiing occurs above 2,500 meters.
Stéphane Bornet, director of the National Association for the Study of Snow and Avalanches, summarizes the deadly pattern: "The recent deadly avalanches in France all had the same cause: a weather disturbance bringing heavy snow and wind, followed by clear weather that encourages people to go out, especially off-piste, without giving the mountains time to stabilize."
