13 Die in Italian Alps Avalanche Surge
Thirteen backcountry skiers, climbers, and hikers died in the Italian Alps over the past 10 days, with avalanches responsible for 10 of those fatalities. The deaths occurred amid the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, highlighting dangerous conditions in the region's unstable snowpack.
- The record number of fatalities in the week ending February 8th included not just skiers, but also two hikers and an ice climber, who died in at least six separate incidents. - Heavy snowfall and wind created a dangerously unstable snowpack by layering fresh snow on top of fragile, weak underlying layers, making avalanches easy to trigger. - Authorities in the Aosta Valley issued a Level 4 "High" avalanche danger warning on February 12, noting that natural avalanches were likely and could be triggered by a single skier. - The victims were of multiple nationalities, including French, British, and Finnish skiers, reflecting the international draw of the Alps, especially during the Olympics. - The incidents occurred in off-piste and backcountry areas such as the Val Veny in Courmayeur and near the Marmolada glacier, away from the monitored and secured Olympic competition sites. - Rescue operations for a single avalanche near Courmayeur involved 15 rescuers, three canine units, and two helicopters to locate and assist the victims. - The surge in accidents is partially attributed to more people heading into the mountains to ski on fresh snow, increasing the number of individuals exposed to the hazardous conditions. - This winter season is shaping up to be one of the worst in recent times, with over 70 fatalities across the Alps by mid-February, compared to an average of around 100 for an entire season.
