Snowfalls were deep in Tignes. | Image: Tignes

Snowfall in France this week has been huge, with some resorts seeing more than 2 meters (6.6 feet) in the last five days. A massive winter storm hammered the French Alps from February 10–13, unleashing monster snowfall that has buried resorts and reshaped the mountain landscape just days before Valentine’s Day weekend.

Across the Northern Alps — including iconic resorts in Haute-Savoie, Savoie, and Isère — weather stations reported extraordinary snow totals. The most snow fell at Grand Montets, part of Mont Blanc Natural Resort, which saw 2.13 meters (6.99) of snowfall in the last five days. Higher elevations above 1,800–2,000 meters were especially hard hit, with meters of new snow stacking up in tight time windows. Windy conditions associated with the powerful system also created deep wind slabs, making untouched slopes look like giant pillows of powder… and giant avalanche hazards.

The Col des Montets road, which leads to Switzerland, was closed due to too much snow. | Image: Mayor of Chamonix

Some resorts were forced to close on Thursday and Friday to deal with the masses of snow. Several roads were buried and it took 24-36 hours to clear some of the masses of snow from important access roads.

The recent snowfall piled on top of a fragile snowpack that had been building throughout the season. Mountain forecasters described the resulting snow layers as highly unstable and urged guests to exercise extreme restraint and caution. Meteo France placed several areas under red avalanche alert. Skiers, freeriders, and mountaineers were urged to stay well inside marked terrain and avoid tempting untracked lines until stability improves.

Winter wonderland in Val d’Isere. | Image: Val d’Isere

Powder lovers may be dreaming… but for now, patience and prudence remain the words of the mountains until the thick fresh layer settles. 

 

PHOTOS
Avalanche in Vaujany which buried an access road. | Image: Meteo Grenoble
Spontaneous avalancheat Col d’Ornon road. | Image: Meteo Grenoble
Staff clearing snow from a lift station. | Image: Tignes

Snow dumping at Tignes. | Image: Tignes

Val Thorens saw 157 cm of snowfall in the last 5 days. | Image: Val Thorens
Dude, where’s my car? | Image: Val Thorens

Some serious snow accumulations on roof tops at Val Thorens. | Image: Val Thorens
People were urged to stay in the village and now venture out before snow control had taken place in d’Isere. | Image: Val d’Isere

Snow piled high in Val d’Isere. | Image: Val d’Isere

Winter wonderland in Val d’Isere. | Image: Val d’Isere
People were urged to stay in the village and now venture out before snow control had taken place in d’Isere. | Image: Val d’Isere
Somewhere there is a car under the mountains of snow. | Image: Val d’Isere

After the storm, the sun came out at Courchevel. | Image: Courchevel
Le Chalet de Pierres looking postcard-perfect. | Image: Courchevel
Le Chalet de Pierres looking postcard-perfect. | Image: Courchevel

Postcard day after the storm at Courchevel. | Image: Courchevel
Dumping in Courchevel. | Image: Courchevel
Courchevel saw 150cm of snowfall. | Image: Courchevel