Authorities in Switzerland’s Valais canton, home to Zermatt, are warning those hoping to travel for easter to do so with vigilance after exceptional snowfall fell across the mountains.
A press release from the canton explains that multiple roads and routes, including Simplon Passes and the Great St. Bernard Tunnel, remain closed despite the storm having already come to an end. In the Zermatt, Saas, and Simplon regions, many are still without power and major disruptions continue to affect traffic.
According to the BBC, residents and tourists in the French resort of Tignes were told to stay indoors due to the heavy snow. The mayor of the French town pointed toward a high risk of avalanches after more than a meter of snow had hit the ground.
At Val Thorens, a 27-year-old British man died after being swept away in an avalanche. The Guardian reports that the man was taken to a hospital in Grenoble with cardiorespiratory failure but died in the evening. He was apparently standing at the side of the road when the avalanche swept by.
At least four people in total have died as a result of the extreme weather in France, Italy and Switzerland. Skiers in many areas were advised to stay on-piste and avoid avalanche terrain, while several ski areas were closed due to the high avalanche danger.
Officials with the Valais canton warn that the risk of natural hazards due to the storm, including ground instability, falling trees, and avalanches, are expected to remain high until the end of the weekend.
