"In Switzerland, the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) has described the start of the year as "tragic," urging renewed caution as the avalanche situation remains critical, particularly in the canton Valais/Wallis. According to the SLF, danger level 3 ("considerable") persists across many regions and represents the most dangerous scenario for off-piste users: around 65% of all fatal avalanche accidents occur at this level."
"Over the past week alone, numerous avalanches-often large-were triggered by ski tourers and freeriders, many with fatal consequences. In France, six people died last weekend and more have died during the start of this week. In Switzerland, one person died on the weekend, Olympic snowboarder Ueli Kestenholz, and another died on Thursday, January 15, in Chamoson. In Andorra, a resort employee was buried in an avalanche while servicing resort infrastructure."
Dangerous avalanche conditions persist across the European Alps, with national institutes warning the winter idyll remains deceptive and risk to skiers, freeriders, and ski tourers is unacceptably high. In Switzerland the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) called the start of the year "tragic" and reports danger level 3 ("considerable") across many regions, responsible for about 65% of fatal avalanche accidents. Numerous large avalanches triggered by recreational users in the past week caused multiple deaths across France, Switzerland, Austria and Andorra, and prompted repeated rescue responses in Valais. Persistent weak layers in the snowpack remain poorly bonded and can collapse under small additional loads. Conditions are unlikely to improve soon.
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