AvalancheClarity

Aravis

Danger level 3 Considerable
Bulletin date: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at 14:00 UTC
Valid until:

Ski resorts in this massif: La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand, Manigod, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, La Giettaz, La Sambuy, Crest-Voland / Cohennoz, Flumet, Praz-sur-Arly, Cordon, Le Reposoir, Mont-Saxonnex, Seythenex

Source: Météo-France

This is an AI-generated translation and summary. It may contain errors. Always read the full official Météo-France avalanche bulletin before any mountain activity.

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Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

(valid outside marked and open runs)

MASSIF : Aravis

written on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 4 p.m.

To check the current vigilance, please go to the site https://vigilance.meteofrance.fr/fr

Risk assessment for Wednesday, April 1, 2026

New wind slabs under the NNE Bise wind.


            Risque détaillé
NESW

Risk indices: 5 very high - 4 high - 3 considerable - 2 moderate - 1 low -- In black: the most dangerous slopes

Above 2000m considerable risk index, lower down moderate index.

Spontaneous releases: some accumulations in the recent snow may give way

Skier-triggered: new wind slabs in the recent snow

Snowpack stability until Wednesday evening, April 1

Typical avalanche situation:Neige ventéeWind slab

Triggered releases:
A few wind slabs in the recent snow; they continue to form during the day on Wednesday under the NNE wind. They are soft or even hard, reactive to the passage of a skier. They are close to the ridges (which will have taken less wind) or behind slope breaks. The NNE Bise blew hard this Monday; slabs can also locally be found down to mid-slope, far from the ridges (often scoured). Fractures are between 20-30 cm and sometimes 50-60 cm in accumulations. Size 1 to 2, rarely 3 (small to medium, rarely 3).
Observables: accumulations, cracks in front of skis, change in snow quality over a short distance. 

Spontaneous releases:
Rare or even a few spontaneous releases due to the wind are still possible. Size 1.
Rare wet snow slides under a clear spell on sunny slopes (below rock bands), but very limited due to the wind. Size 1.

Snow quality

    Snow conditions: 
Good for late March. Skis or snowshoes can be put on from 1200/1300 m. Warning: absence of base layers below 1500/1600 m on S slopes.

Snow quality this Wednesday:
Below 2000 m: 5-15 cm of recent snow lying on still cold snow, presence of a crust at depth except on North slopes. On sunny slopes, the snow surface is becoming damp. 
Above 2000 m: 5-20 cm of recent snow, wind-blown in sectors exposed to the Bise. Hard or icy near the ridges.
Numerous cornices and accumulations/drifts.
  

Weather overview for Wednesday, April 1

nightmorningafternoonevening
Between clouds and clear spells, still very windy and cool.
Rain-Snow----
Iso 0°C1200 m1400 m1500 m1400 m
Wind 2000 m 40 km/h 35 km/h 25 km/h 10 km/h
Wind 2500 m 65 km/h 50 km/h 40 km/h 20 km/h

Off-piste snow depth

Tue. 31 March N S 210 cm 2000 m 95 cm 1500 m 10 cm 1000 m 160 cm 2000 m 65 cm 1500 m 0 cm 1000 m Continuous snow cover altitudes: North face : 900 m South face : 1200 m

Precipitation at 1800 m

Cumulated quantities in 24 hours Fresh snow at 1800m Fresh snow Min Fresh snow Max Rain 5 10 15 20 Snow (cm) / Rain (mm) 0 0 0 Sat. 28 at 6h 7 10 0 Sun. 29 at 6h 0 0 0 Mon. 30 at 6h 5 15 0 Tue. 31 at 6h 0 0 0 Wed. 1 at 6h 0 0 0 Thu. 2 at 6h

Trend for Thursday, April 2

Moderate risk index

Temporary instabilities due to the wind will decrease rapidly with the significant drop in wind on Wednesday evening.

Snow and weather conditions of the last 7 days

Last 7 days

Wed. 25/03Thu. 26/03Fri. 27/03Sat. 28/03Sun. 29/03Mon. 30/03Tue. 31/03
03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h
Weather
Wind
(km/h)
at 2500m
40607060606060606080403040403050605030302535456565656065
Wind
(km/h)
at 2000m
30406045454050504560302030302040503020201020354045404540
Iso 0°CRain-snow limit
Altitude (m)
2400
1600
800
0
Wed. 25/03Thu. 26/03Fri. 27/03Sat. 28/03Sun. 29/03Mon. 30/03Tue. 31/03
Fresh
snow (6h)
30 cm15 cm0 cm10 cm0 cm15 cm
Avalanche
Risk
Snow cover North and South at  1500m···   2000m- - -   2500m
Total snow
depth (cm)
240
160
80
0
85110100100909095190210200200200200210
Wed. 25/03Thu. 26/03Fri. 27/03Sat. 28/03Sun. 29/03Mon. 30/03Tue. 31/03
Snow limit - North face   Snow limit - South face
Snow
limit (m)
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
0
1100600900900900900900 13006009001100120012001200
Wed. 25/03Thu. 26/03Fri. 27/03Sat. 28/03Sun. 29/03Mon. 30/03Tue. 31/03
Iso 0°C RSL Weather at
1800m
Wind at
2000m
Wind at
2500m
Wed. 25/0303h2 400-
30
40
09h2 100-
40
60
15h1 4001 300
60
70
21h700500
45
60
Thu. 26/0303h500300
45
60
09h800400
40
60
15h1 000500
50
60
21h800400
50
60
Fri. 27/0303h700300
45
60
09h900-
60
80
15h1 200-
30
40
21h700-
20
30
Sat. 28/0303h800-
30
40
09h1 300-
30
40
15h1 3001 000
20
30
21h1 000800
40
50
Sun. 29/0303h1 000600
50
60
09h1 300-
30
50
15h1 500-
20
30
21h1 200-
20
30
Mon. 30/0303h1 300-
10
25
09h1 400800
20
35
15h1 6001 100
35
45
21h1 300900
40
65
Tue. 31/0303h1 300900
45
65
09h1 300-
40
65
15h1 400-
45
60
21h1 200-
40
65
Avalanche
risk
Snow limit Snow depth at
2000m
Fresh snow at
1800m
Wed. 25/03N : 1 100 m
S : 1 300 m
N : 190 cm
S : 145 cm
30 cm
Thu. 26/03N : 600 m
S : 600 m
N : 210 cm
S : 170 cm
15 cm
Fri. 27/03N : 900 m
S : 900 m
N : 200 cm
S : 160 cm
0 cm
Sat. 28/03N : 900 m
S : 1 100 m
N : 200 cm
S : 150 cm
10 cm
Sun. 29/03N : 900 m
S : 1 200 m
N : 200 cm
S : 150 cm
0 cm
Mon. 30/03N : 900 m
S : 1 200 m
N : 200 cm
S : 150 cm
15 cm
Tue. 31/03N : 900 m
S : 1 200 m
N : 210 cm
S : 160 cm

Useful documentation for correctly reading this BRA is available in the 2025 avalanche guide

Written by Météo-France with the contribution of observers from the snow-meteorological network. Partnership: ANMSM (Mountain Resort Mayors), DSF (Ski Areas of France), ADSP (Piste and Safety Directors of Winter Sports Resorts) and other mountain stakeholders.

French Translation & Notes

Nouvelles plaques à vent sous la Bise de NNE.

New wind slabs under the NNE Bise wind.

The 'Bise' is a specific cold, dry wind from the north/northeast in the Alps.

Déclenchements provoqués :

Triggered releases:

'Provoqués' refers to avalanches triggered by a person (skier, hiker) or artificial means (explosives).

Quelques plaques à vent dans la neige récente, elles continuent de se former mercredi en journée sous le vent de NNE.

Some wind slabs in the recent snow; they continue to form during the day Wednesday under the NNE wind.

'Neige récente' is fresh snow that hasn't yet bonded or settled. 'Sous le vent' means leeward (the side sheltered from the wind where snow accumulates).

Elles sont friables voir dures, réactives au passage d'un skieur.

They are friable or even hard, reactive to the passage of a skier.

'Friables' (soft slabs) are often more dangerous because they don't look like slabs. 'Voir' here means 'or even'.

Elles sont proches des crêtes (qui auront moins pris le vent) ou derrière les ruptures de pente.

They are close to ridges (which will have seen less wind-loading) or behind terrain breaks.

'Ruptures de pente' are critical terrain features where the slope angle changes abruptly, often acting as trigger points.

La Bise de NNE a soufflé fort ce lundi, les plaques peuvent aussi localement se trouver jusqu'en milieu des pentes, loin des crêtes (souvent décapées).

The NNE Bise blew hard this Monday; slabs can also locally be found down to mid-slope, far from the ridges (which are often scoured).

'Décapées' (scoured) means the wind has stripped the snow away down to the old hard surface or ground.

Les cassures sont entre 20/30 cm et parfois 50/60 cm dans les accumulations.

The crown fractures are between 20/30 cm and sometimes 50/60 cm in accumulations.

'Cassures' refers to the height of the fracture line (the crown).

Taille 1 à 2, rarement 3 (petite à moyenne, rarement 3).

Size 1 to 2, rarely 3 (small to medium, rarely 3).

Refers to the European/International avalanche size scale.

Observables : accumulations, fissures devant les skis, changement de qualité de neige sur une courte distance.

Observables: accumulations, cracks in front of the skis, change in snow quality over a short distance.

These are red-flag warnings for the traveler. 'Fissures devant les skis' refers to shooting cracks.

Départs spontanés :

Natural releases:

Avalanches that occur without human help.

Rares voir quelques départs spontanés à cause du vent sont encore possibles.

Rare or a few natural releases due to the wind are still possible.

'Encore possibles' implies a continuation of previous activity.

Taille 1.

Size 1.

Small avalanche, unlikely to bury a person but can cause a fall.

Rares coulées de neige humide sous une éclaircie dans les versants ensoleillés (sous les rochers), mais très limité à cause du vent.

Rare wet snow flows during clear spells on sunny aspects (below rocks), but very limited due to the wind.

'Coulées' are small flows. The wind keeps the air cool, preventing widespread melting despite the sun.

Entre nuages et éclaircies, encore bien venté et frais.

Between clouds and clear spells, still very windy and cool.

'Frais' indicates temperatures are low enough to keep the snow dry at higher elevations.

Enneigement :

Snow cover:

The general state of the snow on the ground.

Bon pour une fin mars.

Good for the end of March.

Contextualizes current depths against seasonal averages.

On peut chausser skis ou raquettes dès 1200/1300 m.

You can put on skis or snowshoes from 1200/1300 m.

'Chausser' means to put on equipment.

Attention, absence de sous-couches sous 1500/1600 m en versants S.

Caution: absence of base layer below 1500/1600 m on S aspects.

'Sous-couches' are the underlying layers of the snowpack. Absence means you might hit rocks/ground.

Qualité de la neige ce mercredi :

Snow quality this Wednesday:

Refers to the skiability and surface texture.

Sous 2000 m : 5/15 cm de neige récente reposant sur une neige encore froide, présence d'une croute en profondeur sauf en Nord.

Below 2000 m: 5/15 cm of recent snow resting on a snowpack that is still cold; presence of a crust at depth except on North aspects.

The 'croute en profondeur' is a buried crust, likely from a previous melt-freeze cycle.

Dans les versants ensoleillés, la neige s'humidifie en surface.

On sunny slopes, the snow is becoming moist on the surface.

A sign of warming that can lead to loose wet activity.

Au-dessus de 2000 m : 5/20 cm de neige récente, soufflée dans les secteurs soumis à la Bise.

Above 2000 m: 5/20 cm of recent snow, wind-blown in sectors subject to the Bise wind.

'Soufflée' indicates the snow has been moved by the wind, often leading to slabs.

Dure ou glacée près des crêtes.

Hard or icy near the ridges.

Because the wind has stripped the fresh snow away.

Nombreuses corniches et accumulations/congères.

Numerous cornices and accumulations/snowdrifts.

'Congères' are snowdrifts formed by wind.

French Term English Term Definition
Taille 1 Size 1 Small avalanche (sluff). Unlikely to bury a person but can knock you off your feet or carry you into terrain traps.
Taille 2 Size 2 Medium avalanche. Can bury, injure, or kill a person.
Risque 2 - Limité 2 - Moderate Snowpack is moderately well bonded on some steep slopes, otherwise generally well bonded. Triggering is possible with high additional loads, particularly on indicated steep slopes. Large natural avalanches unlikely.
Risque 3 - Marqué 3 - Considerable Snowpack is moderately to poorly bonded on many steep slopes. Triggering is possible even from low additional loads, particularly on indicated steep slopes. In certain situations, some large natural avalanches are possible.
Risque 4 - Fort 4 - High Snowpack is poorly bonded on most steep slopes. Triggering is likely even from low additional loads on many steep slopes. In some situations, many medium and sometimes large natural avalanches are expected.
Indices de risque Risk Indices The European Avalanche Danger Scale: 1 (Low) = generally stable; 2 (Moderate) = possible on steep slopes; 3 (Considerable) = triggering possible even by a single skier; 4 (High) = likely even from low loads, natural releases expected; 5 (Very High) = widespread natural avalanches, extremely dangerous.
Plaque à vent Wind slab A cohesive layer of wind-deposited snow on the lee side of ridges, crests, or obstacles. Often hard or stiff on the surface but resting on a weaker layer beneath. Can be triggered by a single skier.
Avalanche de neige humide Wet snow avalanche An avalanche caused by liquid water weakening the bonds between snow grains, due to rain, warm temperatures, or solar radiation. Typically heavy, dense, and slow-moving but extremely powerful and destructive.
Départ spontané Natural release An avalanche that releases without human intervention, triggered by natural factors such as new snowfall, wind loading, warming, or rain. Indicates the snowpack is unstable enough to fail on its own.
Déclenchement provoqué Skier-triggered release An avalanche caused by the weight of a person (skier, snowboarder, hiker) or by explosives. The additional load collapses a weak layer, causing the slab above to fracture and slide.
Manteau neigeux Snowpack The total accumulation of all snow layers on the ground. Its structure — the arrangement and bonding of different layers — determines avalanche risk.
Corniche Cornice An overhanging mass of wind-deposited snow on the edge of a ridge or crest. Can break off unexpectedly and trigger avalanches on the slope below.
Rupture de pente Terrain break A point where the slope angle changes abruptly (convexity or concavity). These features concentrate stress in the snowpack and are common fracture initiation points for slab avalanches.
Cassure Crown / Fracture line The line along which a slab avalanche fractures and separates from the stable snow above. The height of the crown wall indicates the slab thickness and avalanche severity.
Plaque Slab A cohesive layer of snow that can fracture and slide as a unit when a weak layer beneath it collapses. Slabs can be soft or hard, and vary from small to enormous.
Fissures Shooting cracks Visible cracks propagating through the snow surface, indicating significant instability in the snowpack. A clear sign of dangerous conditions.
Bise Bise wind A cold, dry northeasterly wind common in Switzerland. The Bise can transport snow and form dangerous wind slabs, particularly on sheltered slopes.
friable friable / soft-slab Refers to a wind slab that is poorly bonded and crumbly rather than hard and cohesive; often very sensitive to triggers.
décapées scoured / stripped Terrain where the wind has removed all recent snow, leaving behind the old hard surface or bare ground.
s'humidifie moistening The process of snow becoming wet due to sun or warm air, which decreases its strength.
congères snowdrifts Mounds of snow piled up by the wind, often found behind obstacles or on the leeward side of ridges.
1 2 3 4 5

Bulletin d'estimation du risque d'avalanche

(valable en dehors des pistes balisées et ouvertes)

MASSIF : Aravis

rédigé le mardi 31 mars 2026 à 16 h.

Pour consulter la vigilance en cours, veuillez vous rendre sur le site https://vigilance.meteofrance.fr/fr

Estimation des risques pour le mercredi 01 avril 2026

Nouvelles plaques à vent sous la Bise de NNE.


            Risque détaillé
NESO

Indices de risque : 5 très fort - 4 fort - 3 marqué - 2 limité - 1 faible -- En noir : les pentes les plus dangereuses

Au-dessus de 2000m indice de risque marqué, plus bas indice limité.

Départs spontanés : quelques accumulations dans la neige récente peuvent céder

Déclenchements skieurs : nouvelles plaques à vent dans la neige récente

Stabilité du manteau neigeux jusqu'au mercredi 01 avril au soir

Situation avalancheuse typique :Neige ventéeNeige ventée

Déclenchements provoqués :
Quelques plaques à vent dans la neige récente, elles continuent de se former mercredi en journée sous le vent de NNE.  Elles sont friables voir dures, réactives au passage d'un skieur. Elles sont proches des crêtes (qui auront moins pris le vent) ou derrière les ruptures de pente. La Bise de NNE a soufflé fort ce lundi, les plaques peuvent aussi localement se trouver jusqu'en milieu des pentes, loin des crêtes (souvent décapées). Les cassures sont entre 20/30 cm et parfois 50/60 cm dans les accumulations. Taille 1 à 2, rarement 3 (petite à moyenne, rarement 3).
Observables : accumulations, fissures devant les skis, changement de qualité de neige sur une courte distance. 

Départs spontanés :
Rares voir quelques départs spontanés à cause du vent sont encore possibles. Taille 1.
Rares coulées de neige humide sous une éclaircie dans les versants ensoleillés (sous les rochers), mais très limité à cause du vent. Taille 1.

Qualité de la neige

    Enneigement : 
Bon pour une fin mars. On peut chausser skis ou raquettes dès 1200/1300 m. Attention, absence de sous-couches sous 1500/1600 m en versants S.

Qualité de la neige ce mercredi :
Sous 2000 m : 5/15 cm de neige récente reposant sur une neige encore froide, présence d'une croute en profondeur sauf en Nord. Dans les versants ensoleillés, la neige s'humidifie en surface. 
Au-dessus de 2000 m : 5/20 cm de neige récente, soufflée dans les secteurs soumis à la Bise. Dure ou glacée près des crêtes.
Nombreuses corniches et accumulations/congères.
  

Aperçu météo pour le mercredi 01 avril

nuitmatinaprès-midisoir
Entre nuages et éclaircies, encore bien venté et frais.
Pluie-Neige----
Iso 0°C1200 m1400 m1500 m1400 m
Vent 2000 m 40 km/h 35 km/h 25 km/h 10 km/h
Vent 2500 m 65 km/h 50 km/h 40 km/h 20 km/h

Epaisseur de neige hors-piste

mar. 31 mars N S 210 cm 2000 m 95 cm 1500 m 10 cm 1000 m 160 cm 2000 m 65 cm 1500 m 0 cm 1000 m Altitudes d'enneigement continu : Versant NORD : 900 m Versant SUD : 1200 m

Précipitations à 1800 m

Quantités cumulées en 24 heures Neige fraîche à 1800m Neige fraîche Min Neige fraîche Max Pluie 5 10 15 20 Neige (cm) / Pluie (mm) 0 0 0 sam. 28 à 6h 7 10 0 dim. 29 à 6h 0 0 0 lun. 30 à 6h 5 15 0 mar. 31 à 6h 0 0 0 mer. 1 à 6h 0 0 0 jeu. 2 à 6h

Tendance du jeudi 02 avril

Indice de risque limité

Les instabilités temporaires dues au vent diminuent rapidement avec la nette baisse du vent en soirée de mercredi.

Conditions nivo-météo des 7 derniers jours

Les 7 derniers jours

mer. 25/03jeu. 26/03ven. 27/03sam. 28/03dim. 29/03lun. 30/03mar. 31/03
03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h
Météo
Vent
(km/h)
à 2500m
40607060606060606080403040403050605030302535456565656065
Vent
(km/h)
à 2000m
30406045454050504560302030302040503020201020354045404540
Iso 0°CLimite pluie-neige
Altitude en m
2400
1600
800
0
mer. 25/03jeu. 26/03ven. 27/03sam. 28/03dim. 29/03lun. 30/03mar. 31/03
Neige
fraîche (6h)
30 cm15 cm0 cm10 cm0 cm15 cm
Risque
d'Avalanche
Enneigement versant Nord et Sud à  1500m···   2000m- - -   2500m
Hauteur totale
de neige (cm)
240
160
80
0
85110100100909095190210200200200200210
mer. 25/03jeu. 26/03ven. 27/03sam. 28/03dim. 29/03lun. 30/03mar. 31/03
Limite de l'enneigement - Versant Nord   Limite de l'enneigement - Versant Sud
Limite
d'enneigement (m)
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
0
1100600900900900900900 13006009001100120012001200
mer. 25/03jeu. 26/03ven. 27/03sam. 28/03dim. 29/03lun. 30/03mar. 31/03
Iso 0°C LPN Météo à
1800m
Vent à
2000m
Vent à
2500m
mer. 25/0303h2 400-
30
40
09h2 100-
40
60
15h1 4001 300
60
70
21h700500
45
60
jeu. 26/0303h500300
45
60
09h800400
40
60
15h1 000500
50
60
21h800400
50
60
ven. 27/0303h700300
45
60
09h900-
60
80
15h1 200-
30
40
21h700-
20
30
sam. 28/0303h800-
30
40
09h1 300-
30
40
15h1 3001 000
20
30
21h1 000800
40
50
dim. 29/0303h1 000600
50
60
09h1 300-
30
50
15h1 500-
20
30
21h1 200-
20
30
lun. 30/0303h1 300-
10
25
09h1 400800
20
35
15h1 6001 100
35
45
21h1 300900
40
65
mar. 31/0303h1 300900
45
65
09h1 300-
40
65
15h1 400-
45
60
21h1 200-
40
65
Risque
avalanche
Limite enneigement Enneigement à
2000m
Neige fraîche à
1800m
mer. 25/03N : 1 100 m
S : 1 300 m
N : 190 cm
S : 145 cm
30 cm
jeu. 26/03N : 600 m
S : 600 m
N : 210 cm
S : 170 cm
15 cm
ven. 27/03N : 900 m
S : 900 m
N : 200 cm
S : 160 cm
0 cm
sam. 28/03N : 900 m
S : 1 100 m
N : 200 cm
S : 150 cm
10 cm
dim. 29/03N : 900 m
S : 1 200 m
N : 200 cm
S : 150 cm
0 cm
lun. 30/03N : 900 m
S : 1 200 m
N : 200 cm
S : 150 cm
15 cm
mar. 31/03N : 900 m
S : 1 200 m
N : 210 cm
S : 160 cm

La documentation utile à la bonne lecture de ce BRA est disponible sur le guide avalanche 2025

Rédigé par Météo-France avec la contribution des observateurs du réseau nivo-météorologique. Partenariat : ANMSM (Maires de Stations de Montagne), DSF (Domaines Skiables de France), ADSP (Directeurs de Pistes et de la Sécurité des Stations de Sports d'Hiver) et autres acteurs de la montagne.