An element from a French Alpine rescue unit and his trained dog during a rescue mission after an avalanche on January 29, 2026.
French authorities announced on Sunday that two skiers were killed in an avalanche that occurred on Saturday afternoon in Saint-Véran, the highest village in the French Alps.
A “massive” avalanche swept across the north face of the 3,146-meter-high Pointe de Longet, confirming information previously reported.
Without a guide
The two victims, men in their thirties, were part of a group of four people who were skiing off-piste and without a guide. The other two members of the group emerged from the avalanche unharmed.
–
More than twenty skiers have died since the beginning of the year in avalanches that occurred in various areas of the Alps in Austria, France, and Switzerland.
French Alps
The French Alps are a major mountain range in southeastern France, renowned for their natural beauty and as a premier destination for skiing and mountaineering. Historically, the region has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was later shaped by the Duchy of Savoy before becoming part of France in the 19th century.
Saint-Véran
Saint-Véran is a village in the French Alps recognized as the highest commune in Europe, situated at over 2,000 meters in altitude. Its history is deeply tied to alpine pastoralism and mining, with well-preserved 17th and 18th-century architecture that showcases traditional Queyras building techniques.
Pointe de Longet
Pointe de Longet is a mountain summit in the French Alps, part of the Vanoise Massif near the Italian border. Historically, its surrounding valleys have been shaped by glacial activity and traditional alpine pastoralism, with the area now falling within the protected Vanoise National Park established in 1963.
Austria
Austria is a Central European country with a rich history as the heart of the Habsburg Empire, which ruled much of Europe for centuries. Its cultural landscape is renowned for classical music, historic cities like Vienna and Salzburg, and Alpine traditions.
France
France is a Western European nation with a rich history dating back to ancient Gaul, later shaped by Roman conquest, the rise of the monarchy, the French Revolution, and its development as a major global power. Its cultural influence is profound, exemplified by iconic sites like the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre Museum, and the Eiffel Tower in its capital, Paris. The country is also renowned for its contributions to art, philosophy, cuisine, and fashion.
Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe known for its long history of neutrality, which dates back to the Treaty of Paris in 1815. It is famous for its Alpine landscapes, political stability, and its unique system of direct democracy and federalism. Culturally, it is a multilingual nation with four official languages and is home to numerous international organizations.
