On Tuesday an slab Avalanche on Val d’Isere’s Grand Valon claimed the life of a 30 year old Danish skiier. Reports claim that the male skier died instantly, of a broken neck. He was part of a group (from the French UCPA organisation) led by an instructor, on the 2600m 35 degree  West facing slope. Val d’Isere has already seen one Avalanche death this season. In addition, Rachel Ward froze to death in one of the resorts rivers earlier this month.

The same report believes that the avalanche was set off by skiers further up the Vallon slope. If you’re going to Val d’Isere, and want to go off-piste, then Henry’s Avalanche Talk is definitely worth checking out.Be prepared if you are venturing off-piste: Avalanche probe, spade, transceiver and an awareness of conditions are what the committed off-piste skier should pack.

Following heavy snow falls, the pistes are cleared of snow and potential avalanche areas are removed with controlled explosions. It is on Val d’Isere’s 10,000 kms or so of off-piste that the avalnche deaths have occurred. Since 1990, off-piste avalanches in France have claimed 25 to 31 people.

Photograph by Jamie Robertson