In two separate incidents on Wednesday, the first avalanche struck near Val-Cenis in the Savoie region, claiming the lives of four Norwegian skiers. They were part of a larger group of seven venturing off the marked trails when the avalanche hit. Mayor Jacques Arnoux confirmed that although they were equipped with avalanche beacons, the dangers of backcountry skiing remain high. Three of the Norwegian skiers died immediately, while a fourth – a woman – succumbed to severe hypothermia and cardiac arrest later in a nearby hospital.

Meanwhile, a 30-year-old Swiss skier also lost her life in a separate avalanche in the Haute-Savoie region, near Chamonix. She was skiing alongside her brother, who was hospitalized for observation, while their father thankfully emerged unscathed. All three were equipped with anti-avalanche airbags, emphasizing the unpredictability of winter sports safety.

On Tuesday, prior incidents were reported when a Brazilian-Portuguese skier, aged 55, was killed by a significant avalanche on Mont Blanc's off-piste section. These consecutive tragedies raise concerns about the inherent risks associated with skiing off-piste in challenging conditions. Authorities urge skiers to assess risks carefully and adhere to safety protocols when embarking on such perilous adventures.