An avalanche occurred early Tuesday afternoon in the Portes du Soleil ski area, in Les Crosets. It was in an off-piste area that the slide occurred, as a reader informed us. Three helicopters and many personnel were mobilized on site to search for possible victims.
After several hours of suspense, the Valais cantonal police announced that the avalanche had caused no casualties and that no one was missing, thus putting an end to the search, according to information from “Nouvelliste”.
This avalanche occurred in a context of high danger after the snowfall that occurred in recent days and the wind that was blowing. Near the town of Dorénaz (VS), an avalanche cut the access road to the hamlet of Alesse. It will remain closed for an indefinite period. Fortunately for people who have to go there or go back down to the plain, the cable car remains operating according to schedule, the authorities announce.
Further away, in Arosa (GR), winter has started to take its toll. Sophie Hediger, 26, who had World Cup podiums last winter in snowboardcross, was swept away by an avalanche and could not be resuscitated after being located.
