British skier falls to death in French Alps

Yahoo

19-02-2025

A 23-year-old British skier has died after reportedly falling from a cliff in the French Alps.
The man, who has not been named, fell to his death as he returned from an après-ski night out in the resort of Avoriaz, near the Swiss border, on Sunday night.
It is feared that he died after getting lost as he attempted to ski down the mountain alone, according to the Sun.
The man's body was found on Monday morning after his friends raised the alarm when he did not return to their accommodation.
'The deceased is an English national who is thought to have been skiing on Sunday evening,' a local police spokesman told the newspaper. 'His family have been informed.'
A source added that police believe he may have taken a wrong turn and took his skis off before falling to his death.
The man is reported to have been partying at the La Folie Douce in Avoriaz before his death.
An inquiry into his death has been opened by local authorities.
A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died in France and are in contact with the local authorities.'
Other skiers have died in Avoriaz. In 2018, a 13-year-old boy died after falling from the cliff. His brother, 10, survived the fall.
In March 2024, a 68-year-old British skier died after colliding with a tree as they swerved to avoid other skiers.
The resort was developed in the 1960s and was the creation of Jean Vuarnet, a French alpine ski racer who was the downhill champion at the 1960 Winter Olympics.
It is described as having 'some of the most snow-sure steep pistes' in the French Alps and forms part of the broader Portes du Soleil ski area.
It is the highest altitude resort in Portes du Soleil, which extends into neighbouring Switzerland.
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