Avalanche in French Alps Claims Lives of Two Britons and a French Skier
Published 13 February 2026
Highlights
- Two Britons and a French national died in an avalanche near Val d'Isère in the French Alps on Friday.
- The British victims were part of a group skiing off-piste with an instructor, while the French skier was alone.
- A manslaughter investigation has been launched by the Albertville prosecutor's office.
- France's weather service had issued a red alert for avalanche risk in the Savoie region, lifted just before the incident.
- Recent storms have left the Alps with unstable snow conditions, increasing avalanche risks.
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Rewritten Article
Avalanche in French Alps Claims Lives of Two Britons and a French Skier
A tragic avalanche in the French Alps has resulted in the deaths of two British nationals and a French skier. The incident occurred on Friday in the Manchet valley near Val d'Isère, a popular skiing destination in south-east France. The British victims were part of a group of five skiers, accompanied by an instructor, navigating off-piste terrain when the avalanche struck at approximately 11:30 local time (10:30 GMT). The French national, skiing alone, was also caught in the deadly snow slide.
Investigation and Response
Albertville prosecutor Benoît Bachelet announced the launch of a manslaughter investigation, which will be conducted by the CRS Alpes mountain rescue police. The ski instructor, who was unharmed, tested negative for alcohol and drugs, according to Bachelet. Another British skier sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Weather Warnings and Avalanche Risks
The avalanche occurred shortly after France's national weather service lifted a red alert for avalanche risk across the Savoie region. Despite the alert being lifted, the risk level remained high due to "very unstable snow cover," exacerbated by Storm Nils, which had recently deposited between 60cm and 100cm of snow across the region. Luc Nicolino, a slopes manager at La Plagne, described the snow conditions as a "mille-feuille" with many hidden, fragile layers.
Broader Context of Alpine Avalanches
The French Alps have seen a series of fatal avalanches this winter, including a recent incident in Tignes and another in La Plagne. The Italian Alps have also experienced deadly avalanches, with 11 fatalities reported in a single week. Italy's rescue service has warned that the accumulation of fresh snow on unstable layers poses significant avalanche risks across the Alpine range.
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Scenario Analysis
The ongoing manslaughter investigation by the Albertville prosecutor's office could lead to legal actions if negligence is found to have contributed to the tragedy. The incident underscores the persistent danger of off-piste skiing, particularly under unstable snow conditions. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, experts warn that such extreme weather events may become more frequent, necessitating improved safety measures and awareness among skiers. The tragedy may prompt authorities to reassess avalanche warning systems and safety protocols in the Alps to prevent future incidents.
A tragic avalanche in the French Alps has resulted in the deaths of two British nationals and a French skier. The incident occurred on Friday in the Manchet valley near Val d'Isère, a popular skiing destination in south-east France. The British victims were part of a group of five skiers, accompanied by an instructor, navigating off-piste terrain when the avalanche struck at approximately 11:30 local time (10:30 GMT). The French national, skiing alone, was also caught in the deadly snow slide.
Investigation and Response
Albertville prosecutor Benoît Bachelet announced the launch of a manslaughter investigation, which will be conducted by the CRS Alpes mountain rescue police. The ski instructor, who was unharmed, tested negative for alcohol and drugs, according to Bachelet. Another British skier sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Weather Warnings and Avalanche Risks
The avalanche occurred shortly after France's national weather service lifted a red alert for avalanche risk across the Savoie region. Despite the alert being lifted, the risk level remained high due to "very unstable snow cover," exacerbated by Storm Nils, which had recently deposited between 60cm and 100cm of snow across the region. Luc Nicolino, a slopes manager at La Plagne, described the snow conditions as a "mille-feuille" with many hidden, fragile layers.
Broader Context of Alpine Avalanches
The French Alps have seen a series of fatal avalanches this winter, including a recent incident in Tignes and another in La Plagne. The Italian Alps have also experienced deadly avalanches, with 11 fatalities reported in a single week. Italy's rescue service has warned that the accumulation of fresh snow on unstable layers poses significant avalanche risks across the Alpine range.
What this might mean
The ongoing manslaughter investigation by the Albertville prosecutor's office could lead to legal actions if negligence is found to have contributed to the tragedy. The incident underscores the persistent danger of off-piste skiing, particularly under unstable snow conditions. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, experts warn that such extreme weather events may become more frequent, necessitating improved safety measures and awareness among skiers. The tragedy may prompt authorities to reassess avalanche warning systems and safety protocols in the Alps to prevent future incidents.
