TL:DR
- A 24-year-old British skier died after falling 300m on an off-piste slope in Les Arcs, France.
- The incident occurred around 2:29 PM after the skier lost balance.
- He was found unconscious with cardiovascular arrest; attempts to resuscitate him failed.
- Another skier involved was airlifted to safety.
- Authorities warn of risks associated with off-piste skiing this early in the season.
- The ski resort offered condolences and psychological support to involved patrollers.
British skier falls to his death after slipping on off-piste track in French Alps
A young British skier plunged 300m to his death down an off-piste slope while holidaying in the Alps.
The 24-year-old man died while on the snow in the French resort of Les Arcs 2000.
The alarm was raised after two skiers took a route near Chavonne aux Arcs at 2.29pm on Thursday, one of whom also slipped down the mountain and landed in a snowdrift.
Le Dauphine Libéré reported that the man was later discovered unconscious and in a cardiovascular arrest by emergency services including a helicopter dispatched from Courchevel.
He was soon declared dead despite several attempts to resuscitate him.
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The other skier was airlifted off the hill by the CRS Alpes national police unit.
Off-piste skiing is higher risk at this early point in the season as the snow tends to be hard and less thick.
Ski patrollers involved in the incident are being offered psychological support.
The resort said in a statement it sends ‘deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim’.
Authorities have warned skiers to avoid steep off-piste areas.
More than 50,000 skiers sustained injuries in the French Alps during the 2023-24 ski season, while the death toll from accidents was 29.
In February, another young British man lost his life after deciding to ski down a challenging slope alone after partying at a well-known aprés ski spot.
His body was discovered the next day in Avoriaz, near the resort of Morzine.