Accidental Avalanche - Solaise Secteur Val d'Isère

Accidental Avalanche North facing. Triggered by a skier (or maybe up to 4 skiers) at approximately 10.30 am this morning. Fracture released at approx 2900 m just above the top of 'Télésiege du Glacier' (approx 2800 m) in the Solaise Secteur of Val d'Isère - slope angle 30-35°. Significant accumulations in this area from Tues-Thursday 2 April (30-40 cm total) more in windloaded areas. There is a dip/trench under the bump in the foreground where the people are standing i. a terrain trap where the snow built up (how deep is not confirmed at this moment). One person is in critical condition in the hospital. See photos below for more detail.

This photo (below) taken from across valley on South side of Rocher du Charvet. Notice top of 'Télésiege du Glacier' (approx 2800 m) in the Solaise Secteur of Val d'Isère on far left.

Apparently 4 skiers were taken or involved in the group where victims were taken and buried (see fracture/crown below). This was cold winter snow in an area not subjected to skier compaction during the season and a cohesionless layer of snow next to the ground at the bottom of the snowpack (angular grains formed due to kinetic metamorphism over previous weeks/months) had been identified on similar slopes (similar exposure and altitude) several days earlier. Recent avalanche activity (occurring within 24-48 hours of this avalanche) were also identified on similar slopes (see photo just below this one for an example).

Comments

[David George]

Hi Henry

There was some talk about the group being with a ski instructor, maybe from the ESF. But then someone (a Val d'Isere instructor) who helped dig the victims out said definitely no ski instructor involved. Just wondering what you heard.