Off-piste skiing during periods of high avalanche risk is highly dangerous, officials have warned (Image: Getty)
The post- blues often spur a flurry of holiday bookings from Brits eager to escape the chilly confines of the UK in January, and while some head of sunnier climes, others will take to the in a bid to get their blood pumping and shed some of the weight packed on by festive food.
But those en-route to ski resorts in the have been urged to take caution – amid a spell of bad weather that has forced paths and lifts to close due to the increased risk of life-threatening avalanches.
The potential danger in the popular areas of Tignes, Verbier and Flaine registered at 4 out of 5 for avalanche risk on December 24 – making medium or large-sized snowslides likely in a severe weather event that Meteo-France says could cause “moderate damage” to facilities and life in the southeastern region.
The avalanche risk across the Alps has been downgraded to 3 out of 4 on December 27, still posing a “considerable” risk to skiers and especially those going off-piste to territory where avalanches could be triggered spontaneously.
“Right now, in steep off-piste terrain, it’s about as dangerous as it gets,” a spokesperson for Henry’s Avalanche Talks (HAT), based in Val d’Isere told The Telegraph.
:
The French Alps are a popular holiday destination – but often fall victim to extreme weather (Image: Getty)
While it didn’t end up being a white Christmas for most of the UK, it certainly was in the heights of the Alps, with some of Europe’s most popular ski resorts accumulating around 2 metres on December 25 and recording below-freezing temperatures.
The level three avalanche risk means snow conditions are moderately to weakly bonded on steep slopes, with triggering of snowslides possible by individual skiers.
Although not necessarily likely, medium and occasionally large natural avalanches are also possible.
Anyone planning to take to the slopes in the next week can stay up to date with the weather conditions and their impact on ski lift and piste closures via their resort’s website or app, as well as local forecasts.
Don’t miss… [REPORT] [REVEALED]
Off-piste skiers could be at particular risk from avalanches (Image: Getty)
Skiers unable to take to the slopes over the festive period may also be entitled to compensation through their travel insurance – with most resorts offering refunds for a lack of slope provision because of too much or too little snowfall.
The snowy and chilly season for ski resorts in France comes as alarm bells ring all over Europe due to the impact of global warming and rising temperatures on the wintry conditions needed to keep them going.
The resorts of Alpe du Grand Serre and Grand Puy in France did not open for trade this winter after claiming an inability to pay for mountain lifts or diversify into an all-year destination, according to The Guardian.
Many ski resorts have expanded to providing tourist services year-round in a bid to bring in money beyond the shrinking snowy season, while others are resorting to fake snow to keep business ticking over.