First Avalanche of the Winter in Tignes

Avalanches are quite rare at this time of year but heavy snowfall and strong winds had set up an area of instability and a huge wind slab measuring 400mx300m had formed above the main pistes on the Grand Motte which was released by some skiers.

An eyewitness who was skiing when the slide broke loose reported: "I heard a noise like thunder, I turned my head, a wave of white dust came over me ... I saw" black "for a few seconds, it was very scary, no sound could be heard more. Then I immediately thought of my son and my wife."

Once the slide had settled 70 search and rescue personnel were on site with avalanche search dogs and probes and an hour and a half later they declared that no one had been buried.

Although a few people were caught by the avalanche Le Dauphine newspaper reports that there were no injuries more serious than bruises and no casualties were reported.

To understand more about Avalanches and Mountain Safety visit our Avalanche Safety Page.