British Skier Among Three Killed in Separate Avalanches in French Alps

February 18, 2026

A British man in his 30s has died after being caught in an avalanche in the French Alps. This is one of at least three fatalities reported in two separate incidents on Tuesday.

The British national and a Polish skier were part of a group of five skiing off-piste near the resort town of La Grave when the avalanche hit. Two other members of the group, a German and an Australian, got away unharmed, according to local authorities.

In a separate incident at the nearby resort of Valloire, several hikers were caught in another avalanche. One person died, and two others were in critical condition.

These deaths bring the total number of avalanche-related fatalities in the French Alps this winter season to 28. This number has risen sharply after a series of incidents in recent weeks. Just days earlier, two other British nationals and a French citizen died in avalanches in the region.

France’s national weather service had rated the avalanche risk in the La Grave area as “high” (four out of five) on Tuesday due to fresh snowfall and strong winds. In Valloire, the risk level was at the maximum rating of five out of five, indicating very dangerous conditions.

Local authorities have started investigations into the specific circumstances of both incidents.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office confirmed they are in contact with French authorities and are ready to provide consular assistance after the deaths of British nationals.

The French Alps have seen several fatal avalanches since the start of the year, including six deaths in a single weekend in January. Officials continue to urge skiers and hikers to monitor risk warnings carefully and to be cautious, especially when venturing off marked slopes.