Overview
- European Avalanche Warning Services counted at least 135 avalanche deaths since October across European mountain regions, almost double last winter’s 70 and the worst season since 2017/18.
- Italy recorded the most fatalities with 38, many in South Tyrol, while France reported 31, Austria 30, and Switzerland 15, and Germany reported none.
- The tally covers incidents beyond the Alps, including the Apennines in Italy and the Carpathians in Eastern Europe.
- Notable cases included five Bavarian climbers killed in November on Vertainspitze in the Ortler range and an Easter rescue on South Tyrol’s Grabspitze, where a 37-year-old was dug out in critical condition.
- Experts link the surge to warmer temperatures that weaken bonds between old and new snow and to stronger winds that build unstable wind slabs, with more people ski touring off groomed runs increasing exposure.