Avalanche Safety in the Alps: Risks and Prevention Tips

A massive avalanche powder cloud swept across the slopes near the Zerotta chairlift in Val Veny, just outside Courmayeur, Italy, engulfing skiers and snowboarders waiting in the lift line.

Video footage shows the plume racing downslope, with onlookers initially watching before attempting to flee as the snow dust cloud towers over them, reducing visibility to near zero.

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No injuries or casualties were reported from this specific event, as only the powder cloud reached the area, not the avalanche debris itself.

Avalanche conditions in the region were rated 4 out of 5 (High) at the time, amid ongoing elevated danger across the Alps due to recent heavy snowfalls and unstable weather.

This incident occurred just two days after a separate deadly avalanche on February 15 in the nearby Couloir Vesses, a popular off-piste freeride route at the foot of Mont Blanc, which killed three experienced French skiers, identified as Alexis Rassat (29), Hugo Neuville (31), and Quentin Philippe (35) from Chamonix, and left no survivors from the group.

Rescue operations involved 15 rescuers, three search dog units, two helicopters, and medical teams.

The area is near venues for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, and officials have warned of unpredictable conditions with a yellow alert for strong winds and avalanche risk.

This brings the avalanche death toll in the Italian mountains to at least 13 since the beginning of February.