confined, the Tignes station cut off from the world after strong snowfall

In Savoy, more than a meter of snow fell into the stations of Maurienne and Tarentaise. Due to a high avalanche risk, several municipalities have been confined. As in Tignes, where vacationers take their pain in patience while waiting for the release of the roads.

Since this morning, Tignes has been cut off from the world. More than a meter of snow fell in less than 24 hours, this Thursday, April 17, in this Savoyard station, making the roads of access impossible.

Faced with a risk of avalanche level 5/5, the mayor of the town decided to confine its population all day, and “until further notice“.

A short tolerance window is observed between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., to allow residents to refuel. But the population must remain confined in its neighborhood and not try to leave the city.

“I had to leave this morning, but we were not allowed to go out or take the car, Tells Rosine, on vacation in Tignes since Saturday. I had to call the apartment manager I rent to ask to stay one more night. The ski area is closed, but full of people plays in the snow. Police patrol to tell people not to be outside“.

Schools, crèches, swimming pool, school transport … All public services are closed for the day. The authorities fear that snow flows or blocks of blocks from the roofs would injure pedestrians.

Director of the Le Planté de Bâton restaurant, Marc Darrell decided to close his establishment all day. “”It was not worth welcoming customers at 7 p.m. to tell them to go with the return of confinement at 8 p.m.explains the restaurateur. It is always penalizing to close, but security is important. There must not be a dead man because of the shops!“.

A few meters away, the Alberto restaurant still welcomed some customers, refugees in the room for the Midi Service. “”28 covers were made against a hundred at this time of the year“, details a waitress, contacted by phone in the middle of the afternoon.”You finish and then you go home“, does she try to explain to foreign customers by putting the handset aside.”The gendarmes have just asked us to close, so I ask customers to leave as soon as they have finished their plate“, she translates.

At 3 p.m., when confinement is paused, vacationers, seasonal workers and residents take the opportunity to go out to play in the snow, while the sky begins to free itself.

An lull on the weather side, but not at the tourist office where the phone ringing constantly. “”People take their pain in patience, they are happy to see snow. When discussing with vacationers on the phone, they are sometimes disappointed not being able to go up to the station, but they understand that it is a case of force majeure and that it is the vagaries of nature in the mountains“, Underlines Morgan Metais, advisor to the tourist office.

“Despite the fairly extraordinary side of the situation, holidaymakers spent an incredible week in terms of weather. This episode presents some constraints but it is quite impressive“, Note Frédéric Porte, Managing Director of Tignes Development.

Aside from a few requests for rehousing, the containment of the station does not seem to hinder tourists beyond measure. “”From tomorrow morning, we anticipate a return to almost normal despite the maintenance of vigilance, continues Frédéric Porte. As vacationers generally circulate on Saturday or Sunday, we should be able to welcome them in good conditions this weekend “.

The Tignes ski area should reopen this Friday, subject to sufficient security of the slopes. Because new snowfall is expected from 8 p.m., when the population will be confined again.

According to the latest weather forecasts, up to 1m50 of snow could cover the town tomorrow before a temperature redoux. Not enough to worry Rosine, who had time “to buy a good book“And intends to take advantage of the last hours of winter.