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2025 Archive Index - All Editions

Slush flows can be more deadly than avalanches

Scientists in Norway are developing a tool to help predict slush flows - a significant yet under-researched problem. These moving masses of snow and water are much more unpredictable than avalanches, moving faster and with more energy. Slush flows happen regularly in Norway - particularly in the far northern county of Finnmark. There have already been 55 documented incidents with several of them proving fatal. But this is likely an underestimate with data on these deadly hazards severely lacking. No effective tools currently exist to predict when and where they might happen leaving authorities with little space to react.

At the University of Tromsø, scientists are working on a digital tool to map areas at risk of slush flows. Leading the research is Christopher D’Ambiose who previously helped develop a model for avalanche flows in Austria. He is now adjusting his model to predict slush flows in Norway. “We have some of the necessary conditions, but it doesn't tell the whole story. So how can we forecast that better? How can we tell okay when we have water saturated? So when is it dangerous and when is it okay?” These are the questions D’Ambiose is looking to answer. He says that taking a deep dive into the data on weather conditions, snowpack and terrain will help determine what makes a slush flow more likely.
More ... (Yahoo UK)

Off Piste Skier Dies in Large Avalanche on the Grands Montets

A 55-year-old skier died Tuesday in a massive avalanche that struck in the Mont-Blanc Massif, specifically the Grands Montets ski area on the NW facing Herse sector, according to emergency services and the Haute-Savoie Prefecture. The avalanche, described as "very large" by authorities, measured approximately one kilometer in length and 400 meters in width. The avalanche was discovered by ski patrol teams as they were closing the resort. The victim, found deceased by rescue teams, was skiing off-piste in a section of the domain that had been closed due to the high avalanche risk. Poor weather conditions, including dense clouds and whiteout visibility, made it impossible to determine the exact origin of the avalanche. The Prefecture of Haute-Savoie emphasized the high avalanche risk on Tuesday, rated at 4 out of 5 on the avalanche scale.
More ... (PisteHors.com)

Two Skiers Killed in Pyrenean Avalanche in Severe Weather

A tragic accident unfolded on Sunday, January 26, as two ski tourers, aged 60 and 70, lost their lives in an avalanche in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of France. The two men began their ski tour in the Barèges sector of the Pyrenees, known for its challenging terrain. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, they ventured out in the morning, but when they failed to return as expected in the afternoon, their concerned family raised the alarm. Search operations were immediately launched by the Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne (PGHM). A helicopter, carrying rescuers and a doctor, braved stormy weather and strong winds to locate the skiers. However, poor visibility hampered aerial searches. The skiers’ vehicle was found in the parking lot by early evening, confirming they had not left the area.

Rescue teams utilized mobile phone geolocation in an attempt to find the men. Ground teams deployed quads and drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras, scouring the terrain through stormy conditions. Finally it was piste patrollers that spotted tracks that enabled the rescue helicopter to localise the victims. The search concluded when the rescuers discovered the two skiers on a closed black piste of the Grand Tourmalet ski area. Both were victims of an avalanche that buried them under a significant snow deposit. Rescuers verified that no other individuals were caught by the slide. The men were local to the area and said to be well equipped and experienced.
More ... (PisteHors.com)

Inbounds Avalanche at Alyeska Resort, AK (No injuries)

An inbounds avalanche above Glacier Bowl at Alyeska Resort late Monday prompted the temporary closure of upper mountain terrain, including the Tram and Glacier Bowl Express, resort officials said Tuesday. No injuries or missing persons were reported. Alyeska’s Snow Safety and Ski Patrol teams are actively monitoring conditions and conducting avalanche mitigation efforts to ensure the safety of guests and employees. The resort emphasized that while robust safety measures significantly reduce avalanche risks, they cannot eliminate them entirely.
More ... (SnowBrains)