Alpine Resorts in Switzerland and France Stranded by Heavy Snow

Fri Jul 18 2025 01:11:13 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Alpine Resorts in Switzerland and France Stranded by Heavy Snow

Severe snowfall triggers travel disruptions and avalanche warnings as the Easter holiday begins.


Heavy snow in the Alps has isolated popular ski resorts, leaving residents and tourists stranded and prompting safety warnings.



A sudden and severe snowstorm has enveloped the Alpine regions of Switzerland and France, causing major travel disruptions just as the Easter holiday kicks off. The picturesque resort town of Zermatt in Switzerland has been completely cut off from the outside world, while authorities in Tignes, France, have urged both tourists and locals to remain indoors due to high avalanche risks following over a meter of snowfall.

Mayor Serge Revial of Tignes stated, “We had to make a decision to protect people,” highlighting the severity of the situation, as snow accumulation continued to rise. The region of Savoie in eastern France faced extensive outages, with thousands of homes left powerless. Additionally, key transport routes including the Simplon Pass leading to Italy were closed, along with the Great St Bernard Tunnel, isolating travelers seeking winter recreation.

In Zermatt, road and rail access has been severely hindered, leading to power outages and significant disruptions in communication systems. Locals have faced long queues at the town’s only operational supermarket as helpers rushed to secure essential supplies. The Alertswiss application issued warnings regarding the risks of avalanches and falling trees across the Valais region, resulting in schools being closed in the city of Sion on Thursday.

As holiday travelers were encouraged to postpone their trips until Saturday, local authorities advised staying home, if possible. The situation in neighbouring Italy added to the woes, with 37 municipalities in the Aosta Valley reporting power outages. There was also a tragic incident in Biella where severe rains led to the collapse of a bridge and a presumed drowning in flooding.

Rainfall in north-west Italy has been relentless, with meteorologists recording over 20cm of rain in just 36 hours, prompting red alerts throughout several valleys. Two rivers, the Po and the Dora, near Turin, breached their banks, although the city itself remains unharmed. Residents are recovering from the shock of the extreme weather events, as businesses along the rivers face temporary closures.

This severe weather episode indicates the unpredictable conditions commonly observed in the Alpine regions during spring and serves as a reminder for travelers to be aware of potential natural hazards.

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