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2025 Archive Index - All Editions

Three Dead in Two Separate Avalanches in France

The accident near Val d’Isere involved five people who were ski touring near the Iseran Pass at an altitude of 2,760m. A woman and a man in his 30s were buried under the snow. The three others were able to locate them using their transceivers and avalanche rescue equipment. The rescue services from Val d’Isere arrived swiftly but were unable to save the two who had suffered cardiorespiratory arrest. The three others were taken to the medical centre in Val d’Isere where they have been treated for shock. The avalanche risk at the time was at Level 3 on a scale of 5, meaning there was ‘considerable’ danger. The report warned of lingering weak layers and possible slab fractures up to 30-40 cm deep

In the other accident a group of back country skiers was ascending the Grands Moulins peak. An avalanche swept away three people in the group. A 30-year-old woman died and two men sustained serious injuries. Another group of ski tourers raised the alarm. The avalanche risk at the time was at Level 3. The authorities are urging caution off piste after recent snow and fluctuating temperatures.
More ... (Planetski EU)

Avalanche Claims Two Lives at Val d’Isère

February 15, 2025 – Bonneval-sur-Arc, France – A tragic avalanche struck near the Col de l’Iseran on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of two ski tourers. The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m., prompting an immediate response from the Val d’Isère ski patrol, the Alpine CRS (Compagnie Républicaine de Sécurité) from Modane and Courchevel.

The victims were part of a group of five ski tourers heading towards the Col des Fours (2976m) when they were caught in the slide beneath the Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Prudence chapel. A south-east facing slope at around 2650 meters altitude. The three survivors, in a state of shock, were transported to the Val d’Isère medical center for evaluation and treatment.

The day before, a skier miraculously survived an avalanche in an off-piste area near the Pont de la Neige above Bonneval-sur-Arc. The 30-year-old man was buried under 150cm of snow for over an hour before being rescued by the CRS Alpes team from Modane. His survival was attributed to an air pocket and the swift response of rescuers, who located him using his avalanche transceiver (DVA).
More ... (PisteHors)

Two Climbers rescued after avalanche in NH

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department was notified around 12:15 p.m. Sunday of two climbers in need of assistance. They were involved in an avalanche off Cannon Cliffs in Franconia State Park. The male and female climbers had planned to ice climb the famous Black Dike climbing route. Once they reached the base of the climbing route the snow gave away underneath them, causing an avalanche. The male slid about 300 feet before coming to a stop and was partially buried.

The female, who was uninjured, was able to call 911. As she was on the phone she was able to locate her friend waving downslope and hiked down to help him out of the snow. Though the male was injured, the two were able to self-evacuate toward the trail. The male refused medical assistance and chose to be driven to the hospital by the female.
More ... (NBC Boston)

Avalanche hits restricted ski area in Erzurum’s Palandöken

An avalanche struck the skiing-prohibited zone at the renowned Palandöken ski resort in the eastern Turkish province of Erzurum on Feb. 15, partially spilling onto the northern ski slope. Four individuals skiing into the restricted zone triggered the snow slide, while no injuries or fatalities occurred. Authorities identified the individuals responsible and, in accordance with the safety regulations, imposed a total fine of 11,812 Turkish Liras.

Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi emphasized that the affected area was off-limits for skiing due to safety concerns. "This location is outside the designated ski area and not suitable for skiing. Necessary warning signs were already in place," he explained, urging skiers to stay within designated areas and avoid restricted zones.
More ... (Hurriyet Daily News)

Snowmobiler 'extremely fortunate' after being buried over an hour

SUMMIT COUNTY, Colorado — A small piece of fabric located in a large avalanche debris field is what led to the rescue of a snowmobiler who had been buried for roughly an hour. Around 12:11 p.m. on Monday the Summit County Rescue Group was notified of the slide that was triggered by two men who were snowmobiling at tree line on Shrine Mountain, just east of Vail Pass. One of the men was buried. The other man attempted to use his avalanche rescue transceiver to find him, but did not get a signal and called 911 for help, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said.

Summit County Sheriff's deputies and Summit County Rescue Group personnel responded to the scene. At 1:13 p.m. while walking across the debris field, a rescuer saw a small piece of fabric. He pulled on it and realized it was part of the snowmobiler's deployed avalanche airbag sticking out of the snow. Rescuers and the other snowmobiler extricated him from the debris about an hour after the avalanche, CAIC said. He was "conscious and talking, but cold," and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, mainly due to early signs of hypothermia.
More ... (photos) (9News)

Deseret News archives: Deadly 1926 Bingham avalanche

On Feb. 17, 1926, an avalanche of snow, rocks and timber barreled down Doty Gulch and Sap Gulch in Bingham Canyon, destroying businesses and burying homes and a boarding house. After all was tallied, 75 people were buried, 40 were killed. Accounts of the final numbers still vary.

The mountains bordering the east side of the Salt Lake Valley had many reports of deadly avalanches through the years, but this was Bingham, on the west side of the valley. More than a foot of heavy snow fell on the slopes the day before and an avalanche of snow, rocks and timber slid down the mountain.

The avalanche was reported from coast-to-coast, with archives showing stories in The New York Times and along the West Coast. The Deseret News covered the avalanche and search for survivors for days and weeks. Just imagine — 99 years ago — reading these headlines each day:
More ... (MSN)

Motorists unharmed after avalanche on Quebec highway

Lisa Bond had just pulled out her phone when snow started rolling toward her car. Within a few seconds her vehicle on Highway 132 was almost encased. Three people were climbing near the site of the avalanche, but there were no injuries. A special avalanche warning has been issued by Avalanche Quebec for many sections of the northern shore of the Haute-Gaspésie region. Police say they were notified around 12:45 p.m. Fire, ambulance and police services were quickly dispatched to the scene, located over 500 kilometres from Quebec City.

Bond was on her way home to Gaspé, Que., from a vacation and was among the dozens of motorists who were forced to seek shelter this week when Highway 20 closed between Rivière-du-Loup and Grand-Métis because of snowstorms. Following the avalanche, Bond says she was helped by another driver within a few minutes and is currently on her way back home. Delivery driver Maxime Ouellet had just started to turn a corner with two vehicles in front of him when he saw the snow roll down the slope and engulf a truck. "The truck was caught between the snow and the guardrail. We managed to get it out," said Ouellet.
More ... (Video) (CBC)