Switzerland Snow Chaos: Avalanches, Warnings & Travel Updates

Avalanche Danger Prompts Travel Disruptions and Evacuations Across the Alps

A surge in snowfall across the European Alps has triggered a heightened avalanche risk, leading to widespread travel disruptions, evacuations and a train derailment in Switzerland. Authorities are urging caution and, in some areas, advising tourists to leave as conditions remain precarious.

The Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research has issued warnings, with large portions of the western Alps currently under a category 5 avalanche risk – the highest level. This follows a week of heavy snowfall and strong winds that have created unstable snowpacks, particularly on weak internal layers.

On Monday, a regional train derailed near Goppenstein in southern Switzerland after striking a snowslide. According to police reports, five people were injured in the incident. The railway company BLS confirmed the derailment was caused by an avalanche. Twenty-nine passengers were evacuated from the train.

The disruption extends beyond rail travel. Numerous Alpine roads have been closed, including key mountain passes like Furka and Lötschberg in Canton Valais, due to the extreme avalanche danger. Access to loading stations for these passes is currently impossible. The road between Goppenstein and Gampel-Steg remains closed.

The situation is particularly severe in Canton Valais, where the highest avalanche danger level was declared on Tuesday morning. The introduction of compulsory snow chains has also caused traffic jams on routes such as the Brünig Pass section of the A8 motorway.

Beyond Switzerland, neighboring countries are also grappling with the consequences of the extreme weather. In Italy, two skiers were killed on Sunday in an avalanche on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. Earlier in the week, in France, two Britons were among three skiers killed in an avalanche in Val d’Isère, while a lone French skier also perished in a separate incident. Authorities in France reported that the ski instructor accompanying the group in Val d’Isère tested negative for drugs and alcohol.

Experts warn that the danger may not subside even as avalanche warning levels decrease. According to Blick, “The danger increases when the avalanche warning level falls again,” highlighting the continued instability of the snowpack.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and advising against non-essential travel to mountainous regions. Tourists in affected areas have been urged to heed evacuation orders and exercise extreme caution. The Swissinfo.ch reports that traffic problems continue due to the onset of winter in the mountains, and the situation remains precarious.

The Daily Mail reports that tourists are being ordered to leave parts of the Italian and Swiss Alps, as villages are evacuated due to the increasing avalanche risks and extreme snowfall. Images circulating show several Swiss towns and resorts blanketed in heavy snow.

The avalanche warning service is providing regular updates and encourages anyone observing signs of instability or avalanches to report their findings, as these observations can improve the quality of the avalanche bulletin. The next update from the Swiss avalanche bulletin is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18th, at 8:00 AM.