AvalancheClarity

Haute-Maurienne

Danger level 2 Moderate
Bulletin date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 04:00 PM
Valid until:

Ski resorts in this massif: Val Cenis (Lanslevillard/Lanslebourg), Aussois, La Norma, Valfréjus, Bessans, Bonneval-sur-Arc, Bramans, Sardières-Sollières

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.

Source: Météo-France

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Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

(valid outside of marked and open slopes)

MASSIF: Haute-Maurienne

written on Saturday, 25 April 2026 at 4 p.m.

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

Risk assessment for Sunday, 26 April 2026

DEEP WETTING CONTINUES.


            Risque détaillé
NESW

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

Low risk index evolving to moderate.

Naturally triggered avalanches: rare but possible large releases in wet snow.

Skier-triggered releases: wet snow under the skis.

Stability of the snow cover until Sunday, 26 April evening

Typical avalanche situation:Neige humideWet snow

Naturally triggered avalanches: rare wet snow avalanches on sunny slopes. They occur after several hours of sun exposure, mostly point-release avalanches (pear-shaped sluffs), small avalanches. South-facing slopes are more stabilized in this already well-advanced season with dense snow of the firn type throughout the thickness of the snow cover. 
On high-altitude East and West aspects, as well as North, the wetting gains in depth. A rare linear release is possible when the wetting reaches a buried layer prone to triggering, a large avalanche (size 3) becomes possible. 

Skier-triggered releases: unlikely except for wet (rotten) snow avalanches under the skis when cutting an overly wet slope.
- In strictly North aspects at high altitude (>3000 m), a very rare cold snow slab may persist. Observable: buried layer less dense than at the surface.

Others: cornice falls reported.

Snow quality

    Snow conditions: below average for the season, the heat is persistently excessive and the snow is melting rapidly.

Skiable limit: around 1700 m in the north, 2000 m in the south on gentle slopes, much higher on steep south slopes.

Snow quality: spring snow after a good overnight refreezing. Hard snow in the first hours of the day then quickly "velvet" from morning to mid-day depending on aspects and altitudes. Snow becomes rotten quickly in the morning on East aspects and generally everywhere after noon. You have to climb above 2800/3000 m in strictly North aspects (somewhat steep) to find very light new snow still good for skiing. 
  

Weather overview for Sunday, 26 April

nightmorningafternoonevening
Sunny morning followed by a few clouds during the day.
Rain-Snow----
Iso 0°C3100 m3200 m3200 m3200 m
Wind 2500 m 5 km/h 5 km/h 5 km/h 10 km/h
Wind 3500 m 10 km/h 10 km/h 10 km/h 15 km/h

Off-piste snow depth

Sat. 25 April N S 145 cm 2500 m 35 cm 2000 m 0 cm 1500 m 70 cm 2500 m 0 cm 2000 m 0 cm 1500 m Continuous snow cover altitudes: North face : 1600 m South face : 2200 m

Precipitation at 1800 m

Cumulated quantities in 24 hours Fresh snow at 1800m Fresh snow Min Fresh snow Max Rain 5 10 Snow (cm) / Rain (mm) 0 0 0 Wed. 22 at 6h 0 0 0 Thu. 23 at 6h 0 0 0 Fri. 24 at 6h 0 0 0 Sat. 25 at 6h 0 0 0 Sun. 26 at 6h 0 0 0 Mon. 27 at 6h

Outlook for Monday, 27 April

Risk index moderate

Conditions still very spring-like: risk increasing with the daytime warming.

Snow-weather conditions for the last 7 days

Last 7 days

Sun. 19/04Mon. 20/04Tue. 21/04Wed. 22/04Thu. 23/04Fri. 24/04Sat. 25/04
03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h
Weather
Wind
(km/h)
at 3500m
2030302525404040403035303535201515252515105201010202010
Wind
(km/h)
at 2500m
152025202025202520202015202515101015151055155515155
Iso 0°CRain-snow limit
Altitude (m)
3200
2400
1600
800
0
Sun. 19/04Mon. 20/04Tue. 21/04Wed. 22/04Thu. 23/04Fri. 24/04Sat. 25/04
Fresh
snow (6h)
0 cm
Avalanche
Risk
Snow cover North and South at  1500m···   2000m- - -   2500m
Total snow
depth (cm)
240
160
80
0
70605550454035160150150150150145145
Sun. 19/04Mon. 20/04Tue. 21/04Wed. 22/04Thu. 23/04Fri. 24/04Sat. 25/04
Snow limit - North face   Snow limit - South face
Snow
limit (m)
2700
2400
2100
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
0
1600160016001600160016001600 2100220022002200220022002200
Sun. 19/04Mon. 20/04Tue. 21/04Wed. 22/04Thu. 23/04Fri. 24/04Sat. 25/04
Iso 0°C RSL Weather
at
1800m
Wind at
2500m
Wind at
3500m
Sun. 19/0403h3 200-
15
20
09h2 900-
20
30
15h2 900-
25
30
21h2 800-
20
25
Mon. 20/0403h2 900-
20
25
09h2 900-
25
40
15h3 000-
20
40
21h2 700-
25
40
Tue. 21/0403h2 700-
20
40
09h2 800-
20
30
15h2 800-
20
35
21h2 700-
15
30
Wed. 22/0403h2 700-
20
35
09h2 900-
25
35
15h2 800-
15
20
21h2 400-
10
15
Thu. 23/0403h2 500-
10
15
09h2 700-
15
25
15h3 000-
15
25
21h3 100-
10
15
Fri. 24/0403h3 100-
5
10
09h3 200-
5
5
15h3 300-
15
20
21h3 300-
5
10
Sat. 25/0403h3 300-
5
10
09h3 200-
15
20
15h3 100-
15
20
21h3 100-
5
10
Avalanche
risk
Snow limit Snow depth at
2000m
Fresh snow at
1800m
Sun. 19/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 100 m
N : 70 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
Mon. 20/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 60 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
Tue. 21/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 55 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
Wed. 22/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 50 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
Thu. 23/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 45 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
Fri. 24/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 40 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
Sat. 25/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 35 cm
S : 0 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.

French Translation & Notes
L'HUMIDIFICATION EN PROFONDEUR CONTINUE.
Deep wetting continues.
*Humidification* refers to the process of water (from melt or rain) percolating into the snowpack. *En profondeur* means deep within the layers, which is a significant structural change.
Départs spontanés : rares avalanches de neige humide dans les pentes ensoleillées.
Natural releases: rare wet snow avalanches on sunny slopes.
*Départs spontanés* is the standard term for natural (non-human triggered) avalanches. *Pentes ensoleillées* (sunny slopes) highlights that solar radiation is the primary trigger.
Elles se produisent après plusieurs heures d'action du soleil, départs majoritairement ponctuels (coulées en "poires"), petites avalanches.
They occur after several hours of solar action, mostly point releases ("pear-shaped" sluffs), small avalanches.
*Ponctuels* (point-source) refers to avalanches that start from a single point and fan out, shaped like a pear (*poire*). This is typical for loose wet snow.
Les pentes sud sont davantage stabilisées en cette saison déjà bien avancée avec une neige dense de type névé sur toute l'épaisseur du manteau.
South-facing slopes are more stabilized this late in the season, with dense firn-like snow throughout the entire thickness of the pack.
*Névé* refers to old, dense, multi-year snow or very consolidated spring snow. On south slopes, the repeated melt-freeze cycles have created a homogenous, stable structure.
En versants Est et Ouest d'altitude, ainsi qu'en Nord, l'humidification gagne en profondeur.
On high-altitude East and West aspects, as well as North aspects, the wetting is penetrating deeper.
*Gagne en profondeur* (gains in depth) indicates that the meltwater is moving past the surface and into deeper, potentially weaker layers of the snowpack.
Un rare départ linéaire est possible quand l’humidification atteint une couche fragile enfouie, une grande avalanche (taille 3) devient possible.
A rare linear (slab) release is possible when the wetting reaches a buried weak layer; a large avalanche (size 3) becomes possible.
*Départ linéaire* is the French term for a slab avalanche. *Couche fragile enfouie* (buried weak layer) is the critical structural concern here. Size 3 refers to an avalanche that can bury a car or destroy a small building.
Déclenchements provoqués : peu probables sauf avalanche de neige humide (pourrie) sous les skis en coupant une pente trop humidifiée.
Triggered releases: unlikely except for wet snow (rotten) avalanches under skis when crossing a slope that is too wet.
*Neige pourrie* (rotten snow) describes snow that has lost all cohesion due to water saturation. *Coupant* (cutting) refers to the action of a skier traversing across a slope.
En plein Nord de haute altitude (>3000 m), une très rare plaque en neige froide peut subsister.
In true North high-altitude aspects (>3000 m), a very rare cold snow slab may persist.
*En plein Nord* means directly North-facing. *Plaque en neige froide* refers to a dry snow slab, contrasting with the wet snow problems found elsewhere.
Observable : couche enfouie moins dense qu'en surface.
Observable: buried layer less dense than the surface.
This describes a 'upside-down' snowpack structure where a harder slab sits on top of softer, less dense snow, a classic setup for slab avalanches.
Autres : chutes de corniches signalées.
Others: cornice falls reported.
*Corniches* are overhanging ridges of snow. Heat causes them to weaken and collapse, which can trigger larger avalanches on the slopes below.
Matinée ensoleillée puis quelques nuages en cours de journée.
Sunny morning followed by a few clouds during the day.
*En cours de journée* is a common phrase meaning 'as the day progresses'.
Enneigement : déficitaire pour la saison, la chaleur est durablement excessive et la neige fond à vue d'œil.
Snowpack: below average for the season, the heat is persistently excessive and the snow is melting visibly.
*Déficitaire* means there is a deficit (less snow than normal). *À vue d'œil* is an idiom meaning 'at a glance' or 'right before one's eyes', emphasizing rapid melting.
Limite skiable : vers 1700 m en nord, 2000 m en sud en pente douce, bien plus haut en pente sud raide.
Skiable limit: around 1700 m on North aspects, 2000 m on South aspects on gentle slopes, much higher on steep South slopes.
*Pente douce* (gentle slope) vs. *pente raide* (steep slope). The limit is higher on steep south slopes because they get the most direct sun, causing faster melting.
Qualité de la neige : neige de printemps après un bon regel nocturne.
Snow quality: spring snow after a good overnight freeze.
*Regel nocturne* is the most important concept for spring skiing; it's the night-time freezing that creates a safe, hard crust.
Neige dure aux premières heures du jour puis rapidement moquette de la matinée à la mi journée suivant orientations et altitudes.
Hard snow in the early hours, then quickly "moquette" (corn snow) from morning to midday depending on aspects and altitudes.
*Moquette* literally means 'carpet'. In skiing, it refers to the thin, soft surface layer of melted snow over a hard base (corn snow), which is highly desirable.
Neige pourrie rapidement le matin en versant Est et généralement partout après midi.
Snow becomes "rotten" quickly in the morning on East aspects and generally everywhere in the afternoon.
East slopes catch the early morning sun, so they transition from frozen to 'rotten' first.
Il faut monter au-dessus de 2800/3000 m en plein Nord (un peu raide) pour trouver de la neige poudreuse encore bonne à skier.
You have to climb above 2800/3000 m on true North aspects (somewhat steep) to find powder snow still good for skiing.
*Neige poudreuse* is powder snow. This sentence explains that you have to go very high and stay in the shade to find winter-like conditions.
French Term English Term Definition Source
Départ spontané Naturally triggered avalanches Avalanche not caused by external forces, e.g. snowfall or loss in firmness due to weather conditions. European Avalanche Warning Services
déclenchable Skier-triggered releases 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. AvalancheClarity Static Glossary
Fragile Prone to triggering A snowpack or snow layer that tends to release from additional loading. European Avalanche Warning Services
Neige poudreuse Very light new snow New fallen snow with very low density: typically 30 kg/m³ (champagne powder, diamond snow). European Avalanche Warning Services
Adret South-facing slopes The sunny, south-facing side of a mountain. Snow becomes wet more quickly due to solar radiation. AvalancheClarity Static Glossary
Avalanche de neige mouillèe Wet snow avalanches Avalanche of wet snow masses. European Avalanche Warning Services
Enneigement Snow conditions The depth and distribution of snow on the ground across a mountain range. Varies with elevation, aspect, and snowfall history. AvalancheClarity Static Glossary
marqué 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. European Avalanche Warning Services
Pente ensoleillée Sunny slopes Terrain heavily impacted by direct solar radiation. European Avalanche Warning Services
Regel Refreezing Overnight freezing of the snow surface forming a hard crust. Refreezing temporarily stabilises the snowpack but strength decreases with daytime warming. AvalancheClarity Static Glossary
Manteau neigeux Snow cover Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers. European Avalanche Warning Services
Hauteur de neige Snow depth Thickness of the snowpack measured vertically. European Avalanche Warning Services
Stabilisé Stabilized See: Increasing firmness (of a snow layer) European Avalanche Warning Services
Stabilité Stability The strength of a snowpack to withstand internal and external disturbances.Stability is determined by firmness vs. stress inside a snow layer. European Avalanche Warning Services
très fort very high Snowpack is generally unstable. Many large natural avalanches are expected, even on moderately steep terrain. Extremely dangerous conditions — avoid all avalanche terrain. European Avalanche Warning Services
Neige fraîche New snow The new snow problem is related to current or recent snowfall. The additional loading on the existing snowpack or a lack of cohesion in the newly fallen snow can cause avalanche activity. The problem is widely present, often in all aspects and lasts usually until a few days after the snowfall event. European Avalanche Warning Services
Neige humide Wet snow The wet snow problem is related to the weakening of the snowpack due to the presence of liquid water. Water infiltrates the snowpack due to high radiation impact (sunshine) which leads to melt or rain (advecting energy into the snowpack leading to melt as well). European Avalanche Warning Services
limité 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. European Avalanche Warning Services
Corniche Cornice An overhanging mass of snow created by wind, usually near a sharp terrain break such as a ridge. European Avalanche Warning Services
Exposition Aspects Direction in which a slope faces as indicated by compass direction of the fall line; i.e. a north slope faces in a northerly direction. European Avalanche Warning Services
Coulée Sluffs A small downhill movement of snow. American Meteorological Society
Névé Firn Snow accumulated in recent years, mostly atop glaciers, intensely metamorphosed and denser because of melting and refreezing, as well as from pressures of overlying snow masses. European Avalanche Warning Services
Risque Risk Likelihood of occurrence combines mathematical probability, risk exposure and possible damages. European Avalanche Warning Services
Plaque Slab (Wind Slab; Slab Group) One or more cohesive layers of snow in which the grains are bonded together. A slab initially fails over a broad area, as opposed to a single point. The boundaries of a slab that has failed are the bed surface underneath, the crown at the top, the flanks along the side, and the stauchwall at the bottom. "Slab Group" is sometimes used to refers to a group of snow layers which form a cohesive slab unit above the bed surface in a slab avalanche. "Windslab" denotes one or more slab layers of snow deposited by the wind. Typically the crystals have been broken into small pieces and packed together tightly. Avalanche Center (US)
dur hard IACS/UNESCO
faible low Snowpack is generally well bonded and stable. Triggering is generally possible only from high additional loads in a few isolated steep extreme terrain features. Only small natural avalanches possible. European Avalanche Warning Services
1 2 3 4 5

Bulletin d'estimation du risque d'avalanche

(valable en dehors des pistes balisées et ouvertes)

MASSIF : Haute-Maurienne

rédigé le samedi 25 avril 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 dimanche 26 avril 2026

L'HUMIDIFICATION EN PROFONDEUR CONTINUE.


            Risque détaillé
NESO

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

Indice de risque faible évoluant en limité.

Départs spontanés : rares mais possibles grands départs en neige humide.

Déclenchements skieurs : neige humide sous les skis.

Stabilité du manteau neigeux jusqu'au dimanche 26 avril au soir

Situation avalancheuse typique :Neige humideNeige humide

Départs spontanés : rares avalanches de neige humide dans les pentes ensoleillées. Elles se produisent après plusieurs heures d'action du soleil, départs majoritairement ponctuels (coulées en "poires"), petites avalanches. Les pentes sud sont davantage stabilisées en cette saison déjà bien avancée avec une neige dense de type névé sur toute l'épaisseur du manteau. 
En versants Est et Ouest d'altitude, ainsi qu'en Nord, l'humidification gagne en profondeur. Un rare départ linéaire est possible quand l’humidification atteint une couche fragile enfouie, une grande avalanche (taille 3) devient possible. 

Déclenchements provoqués :  peu probables sauf avalanche de neige humide (pourrie) sous les skis en coupant une pente trop humidifiée.
- En plein Nord de haute altitude (>3000 m), une très rare plaque en neige froide peut subsister. Observable : couche enfouie moins dense qu'en surface.

Autres : chutes de corniches signalées.

Qualité de la neige

    Enneigement : déficitaire pour la saison, la chaleur est durablement excessive et la neige fond à vue d'œil.

Limite skiable : vers 1700 m en nord,  2000 m en sud en pente douce, bien plus haut en pente sud raide.

Qualité de la neige : neige de printemps après un bon regel nocturne. Neige dure aux premières heures du jour puis rapidement moquette de la matinée à la mi journée suivant orientations et altitudes. Neige pourrie rapidement le matin en versant Est et généralement partout après midi. Il faut monter au-dessus de 2800/3000 m en plein Nord (un peu raide) pour trouver de la neige poudreuse encore bonne à skier. 
  

Aperçu météo pour le dimanche 26 avril

nuitmatinaprès-midisoir
Matinée ensoleillée puis quelques nuages en cours de journée.
Pluie-Neige----
Iso 0°C3100 m3200 m3200 m3200 m
Vent 2500 m 5 km/h 5 km/h 5 km/h 10 km/h
Vent 3500 m 10 km/h 10 km/h 10 km/h 15 km/h

Epaisseur de neige hors-piste

sam. 25 avril N S 145 cm 2500 m 35 cm 2000 m 0 cm 1500 m 70 cm 2500 m 0 cm 2000 m 0 cm 1500 m Altitudes d'enneigement continu : Versant NORD : 1600 m Versant SUD : 2200 m

Précipitations à 1800 m

Quantités cumulées en 24 heures Neige fraîche à 1800m Neige fraîche Min Neige fraîche Max Pluie 5 10 Neige (cm) / Pluie (mm) 0 0 0 mer. 22 à 6h 0 0 0 jeu. 23 à 6h 0 0 0 ven. 24 à 6h 0 0 0 sam. 25 à 6h 0 0 0 dim. 26 à 6h 0 0 0 lun. 27 à 6h

Tendance du lundi 27 avril

Indice de risque limité

Conditions encore très printanières : risque croissant avec le réchauffement en journée.

Conditions nivo-météo des 7 derniers jours

Les 7 derniers jours

dim. 19/04lun. 20/04mar. 21/04mer. 22/04jeu. 23/04ven. 24/04sam. 25/04
03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h03h09h15h21h
Météo
Vent
(km/h)
à 3500m
2030302525404040403035303535201515252515105201010202010
Vent
(km/h)
à 2500m
152025202025202520202015202515101015151055155515155
Iso 0°CLimite pluie-neige
Altitude en m
3200
2400
1600
800
0
dim. 19/04lun. 20/04mar. 21/04mer. 22/04jeu. 23/04ven. 24/04sam. 25/04
Neige
fraîche (6h)
0 cm
Risque
d'Avalanche
Enneigement versant Nord et Sud à  1500m···   2000m- - -   2500m
Hauteur totale
de neige (cm)
240
160
80
0
70605550454035160150150150150145145
dim. 19/04lun. 20/04mar. 21/04mer. 22/04jeu. 23/04ven. 24/04sam. 25/04
Limite de l'enneigement - Versant Nord   Limite de l'enneigement - Versant Sud
Limite
d'enneigement (m)
2700
2400
2100
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
0
1600160016001600160016001600 2100220022002200220022002200
dim. 19/04lun. 20/04mar. 21/04mer. 22/04jeu. 23/04ven. 24/04sam. 25/04
Iso 0°C LPN Météo
à
1800m
Vent à
2500m
Vent à
3500m
dim. 19/0403h3 200-
15
20
09h2 900-
20
30
15h2 900-
25
30
21h2 800-
20
25
lun. 20/0403h2 900-
20
25
09h2 900-
25
40
15h3 000-
20
40
21h2 700-
25
40
mar. 21/0403h2 700-
20
40
09h2 800-
20
30
15h2 800-
20
35
21h2 700-
15
30
mer. 22/0403h2 700-
20
35
09h2 900-
25
35
15h2 800-
15
20
21h2 400-
10
15
jeu. 23/0403h2 500-
10
15
09h2 700-
15
25
15h3 000-
15
25
21h3 100-
10
15
ven. 24/0403h3 100-
5
10
09h3 200-
5
5
15h3 300-
15
20
21h3 300-
5
10
sam. 25/0403h3 300-
5
10
09h3 200-
15
20
15h3 100-
15
20
21h3 100-
5
10
Risque
avalanche
Limite enneigement Enneigement à
2000m
Neige fraîche à
1800m
dim. 19/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 100 m
N : 70 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
lun. 20/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 60 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
mar. 21/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 55 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
mer. 22/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 50 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
jeu. 23/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 45 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
ven. 24/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 40 cm
S : 0 cm
0 cm
sam. 25/04N : 1 600 m
S : 2 200 m
N : 35 cm
S : 0 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.