European Ski Resorts Face Avalanche Risk

With avalanche danger at its highest level, traffic to top ski resorts across Europe is suspended.

Among the resorts impacted is Zermatt in Switzerland and St. Anton in Austria, according to Bloomberg.

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The last time the risk encompassed such a large area was in 1999 during what was known as “avalanche winter,” according to a representative from the Davos-based Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.

During that year, 12 people were killed in the Swiss village of Evolene when an avalanche struck. An additional 30 people died amid an even bigger avalanche in Galtuer, Austria the same year.

This year, however, there is much less snow at lower altitudes and safety measures have been enhanced.

READ MORE: Multiple People Killed in Avalanche at French Ski Resort

Still, officials from the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research told Bloomberg that it’s important to listen if authorities impose restrictions on ski and walking areas.

On Saturday, road and rail services to Zermatt were cut off due to avalanche risk. About 300 people were ferried to the resort by helicopter on Sunday, but poor visibility eventually forced helicopter service to be discontinued Monday. The resort's website currently states that "due to avalanche danger the road and the railway line between Zermatt and Täsch are still closed." The duration of the closing is not yet known.

For those arriving by train, there are substitute buses between Visp and Täsch, according to the website.

Meanwhile, in Austria, about three dozen roads and passes in the Austrian Alps were closed amid fresh snowfall in the western regions of Tyrol. Resorts impacted there include St. Anton and Ischgl.