29/01/2021
Stay safe 5/5 ⚠️
Again, this will be updated throughout the day. Radio Val 96.1 is broadcasting live updates every half hour in French and English (http://www.radiovaldisere.com/index.php?p=home)
WEATHER
Another treacherous day lies ahead as we are on an orange alert for avalanche risk today with a very strong risk of spontaneous slides on all slope orientations. As announced yesterday, precipitation restarted in the night, with a mix of sleet and rain initially. It did then turn back to snow but it was very humid snow indeed, as it still is this morning. A total of 15cm fell last night to add to the 40 to 50cm of fresh snow that arrived yesterday. Temperatures are mild, and will stay high, reaching Maxif . The wind on the glacier has returned with renewed vigour and at 6.15am, a gust of 108km/h was measured on the Pisaillas Glacier. Today we are predicted to receive another 20 to 30cm of snow, with the wind becoming extremely strong even at lower altitudes. Up to 60km/h in the valley and 150km/ at the summits
We are at avalanche risk 5 today and conditions remain extremely dangerous due to the very unstable snowpack. This of course has been caused by rapidly warming temperatures, violent winds and large quantities of fresh snow. Spontaneous avalanches remain highly likely, with many slab avalanches expected in the region of varying depth; some will be wide, and some very deep. Meteo France warns that very large avalanches are possible with powder avalanches travelling great distances; they will however be slowed down below 1800 / 2000m on encountering wet snow. Do not step foot anywhere on the ski area tomorrow morning and stay updated on closures and restrictions.
SECURITY INFO
• The main road between Val d’Isere and the Brevieres crossroad is closed under a new order today. It will not be possible to descend the mountain to Bourg Saint Maurice until that has been lifted.
• The road between Tignes les Boisses and Tignes le Lac is scheduled to open this morning but the decision will depend on conditions.
• The Route de la Balme in front of the Aquasport Leisure Centre is closed to pedestrians.
• The road between le Cret and La Daille is closed for pedestrians.
• The Roads to Le Fornet and between Joseray and Chatelard are closed to pedestrians and traffic.
• The main road between the tourist office roundabout and the UCPA turning is closed for pedestrians: if you have to walk in that direction, please use one of the side roads.
• The Parking du Santel in La Daille is closed for cars due to avalanche risk. Please don’t walk through it either.
• Safety instructions are in place for the Illaz sector and for buildings.
• The school has been closed today in light of dangerous conditions.
• Snow chains are imperative for any cars on the roads in town today, despite the fact that snow clearing has been occurring since 5am this morning.
A PIDA has been taking place this morning since 7am, notably on the Face, la G and la Spatule. Blasting is then scheduled for the Solaise sector afterwards, in particular on the Catex lines above the L piste. The Pisteurs reserve the right to proceed with more blasting throughout the day as is needed to secure the town.
NEWS
A huge 2m deep avalanche released from the Couloir de la Centrale (between Couloir des Coves and Couloir des Sources) this afternoon just before 1pm. It slid down over the chemin des coves, taking out a family of 4 who were snowshoeing on the closed path. The Pisteurs were able to quickly locate and dig out the mother and 2 kids, but the father was buried for more than 2 hours and was finally found after a vast search operation involving a 160 strong army of Pisteurs, ski instructors and volunteers. Miraculously, he was found alive and breathing and was rushed to Medival to receive urgent medical attention Although conscious, he had a heart rate of 38 and his CO2 level was at 88%. He was later transferred to Chambery hospital.
The man was found buried vertically in the snow, which explains why he was so hard to locate. 4 avalanche dogs were brought in for the rescue and after an hour the Pisteurs used technology to scan for a phone, as none of the family were equipped with transceivers. Eventually, he was found using a probe. Of the rest of the family, one of the teenage kids had an injured knee; the other 2 members of the family were unhurt but very shaken. A huge thanks goes out to everyone who aided in the search.
It was by no means the only slide on our mountains yesterday. Avalanche activity was very prevalent and the list is too long to list. Some came down as far as the road, in particular one between Laisinant and Fornet and one just before Fornet. The latter swept away a a pick up truck which is now lying in the Isère river with all four wheels in the air.
Two holidaymakers, who are staying in Le Fornet, found themselves stranded in Val Village yesterday after the road to the village was closed. The castaways waited all afternoon at the Tourist Office before being accommodated in a hotel in town, there being no shortage of available rooms at the moment. Another stranded group of four was warmly welcomed by the CCAS of Val d'Isère and put up for the night.
Consignes de sécurité: · Routes du Fornet et Chatelard fermées à toutes circulations · Route de la Daille et portion UCPA – Richardes fermées aux piétons · Parking du Santel fermé · Consignes de sécurité secteur de l’Illaz · Consignes de sécurité pour les bâtiments ...
