Brit, 27, dies in horror avalanche at French ski resort (2025)

The avalanche took place in Val Thorens. (Image: Getty)

A British holidaymaker, 27, has died after being hit by an avalanche in France, leading to a cardiac arrest. The man was enjoying his stay at Val Thorens ski resort when the avalanche struck around 10am on Thursday last week. According to local prosecutor Benoît Bachelet, the victim was relaxing by the roadside when the avalanche hurled him approximately 15 metres.

The alarm was raised by an onlooker who witnessed the event unfold. Rescuers rushed to the scene, pulling the British man from the snow and administering initial emergency aid as he struggled with heart failure. A transfer to a hospital in Grenoble was hampered due to challenging weather conditions, preventing an immediate air evacuation and leaving the fire brigade to undertake the critical transport while the man was in the throes of a cardiac arrest.

Val Thorens is a popular ski resort. (Image: Getty)

Sadly, the tourist passed away later that evening, confirmed Mr Bachelet. Following this incident, an inquiry has been launched by the regional prosecutor's office.

In the wake of the man's passing, the Albertville prosecutor's office released a statement announcing: "On April 17, 2025, an avalanche broke out shortly after 10am at the entrance to Val Thorens.

"A British man, who was lying at the side of the road, was buried and swept about fifteen meters below."

Ludovic Trautmann, director of the Savoie prefecture, revealed that the tragic landslide which claimed the Brit's life was one of four reported in Les Menuires and Val Thorens, with two reaching the town centre.

He warned: "Four landslides have been reported in Les Menuires and Val Thorens. Two of which reached the town centre. Given the conditions in the coming days, we are calling for the utmost vigilance. The buried person was affected by the landslide at the bottom of the resort."

The Savoie region continues to be battered by heavy snowfall, prompting Meteo France to issue an orange alert due to a "strong or very strong avalanche risk". The agency cautioned: "Many avalanches may occur spontaneously and may affect road networks and houses."

Other resorts, including Tignes and Val Thoren, have been placed on lockdown.

As local officials rally around the family of the man tragically killed in the avalanche, holidaymakers at the resorts have been advised to stay within their accommodation for safety reasons, as the risk remains high across the area.