Haute-Tarentaise
Moderate Avalanche Bulletin for Haute-Tarentaise — covering resorts: Val d'Isère, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Rosière, Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, Villaroger, Tignes - Val d'Isère, Les Arcs / Peisey-Vallandry, Sainte-Foy Tarentaise
Bulletin date: Monday, May 18, 2026 at 03:00 PM
Valid until:
Source : Météo-France
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Source: Météo-France
Avalanche risk assessment bulletin
(valid outside of marked and open slopes)
MASSIF: Haute-Tarentaise
written on Monday 18 May 2026 at 3 p.m.
Risk assessment for Tuesday 19 May 2026
WINTER SNOW COVER ON NORTHERN SLOPES AT ALTITUDE. DAYTIME WARMING LOWER DOWN.
Risk indices: 5 very high - 4 high - 3 considerable - 2 moderate - 1 low -- In black: the most dangerous slopes
Above 2600m moderate risk level, lower down low risk.
Naturally triggered avalanche: wet snow releases due to the warming.
Skier-triggered release: rare slabs in wind slab at high altitude.
Stability of the snow cover until Tuesday 19 May evening
Typical avalanche situation :
Wind slab
Wet snow
Skier-triggered release: - Rare slabs in the new snow that has stayed cold, above 2600 m in a wide North sector. They become more frequent and larger above 3200 m in the North where conditions remain fully winter-like. A medium-sized avalanche (size 2) is possible. Observable: significant snow accumulation of loose snow. - Where the snow becomes heavy during the day with the warming (up to 3200 m?), sluff under the skis when crossing a sufficiently steep slope. Small to medium avalanches. Naturally triggered avalanche: with the warming forecast during the day, the snow still cold at dawn will become wet starting in the late morning. Natural avalanches are expected in a very wide North sector, wherever the snow is transforming (in a 2600-3200 m range?). The snow thickness that can be mobilized may be locally significant and generate small to medium avalanches (size 1 to 2). Activity will be lower on slopes that have already warmed up in previous days (in particular the very wide South sector). Others: possible cornice falls, snow bridges over streams are fragile.
Snow quality
Snow conditions: Below average for the season due to persistent excessive heat. The very high alpine regions, almost dry until now due to strong winds, have temporarily gained slightly better snow cover.
Skiable limit: around 2200 m on North slopes, 2500/2600 m on South slopes on gentle terrain, much higher on steep South slopes.
Snow quality: good refreezing at dawn. The warming causes the snow to become wet on all aspects up to 3000/3200 m, perhaps higher. The snow then starts to stick and ball up, in particular where it was still fresh at dawn, i.e., on steep, shaded slopes between 2600 and 3200 m.
Higher up on less sunny North slopes, the snow remains powdery. There is a significant amount of new snow: 15-20 cm on average and locally 40-50 cm.
Weather overview for Tuesday 19 May
| night | morning | afternoon | evening | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  | |
| Ciel clair au réveil devenant nuageux en journée. Eclaircies et redoux en journée. | ||||
| Rain-Snow | - | - | - | - |
| Iso 0°C | 2300 m | 2700 m | 2800 m | 2900 m |
| Wind 2500 m | 10 km/h | 15 km/h | 20 km/h | 15 km/h |
| Wind 3500 m | 30 km/h | 30 km/h | 35 km/h | 35 km/h |
Off-piste snow depth
Precipitation at 1800 m
Trend for Wednesday 20 May
Risk index moderate
On steep slopes and "shaded" areas in high alpine regions, the slab problem is diminishing but does not disappear entirely. Major warming which maintains the wet snow problem on slopes that heat up too much.
Snow-weather conditions for the last 7 days
Last 7 days
| Tue. 12/05 | Wed. 13/05 | Thu. 14/05 | Fri. 15/05 | Sat. 16/05 | Sun. 17/05 | Mon. 18/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | |
| Weather |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  |  |  |  | |  |  | |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  | | |
| Wind (km/h) at 3500m | 80 | 75 | 55 | 35 | 15 | 20 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 40 | 35 | 25 | 35 | 35 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Wind (km/h) at 2500m | 65 | 60 | 45 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
Iso 0°CRain-snow limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Altitude (m) 2400 1600 800 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tue. 12/05 | Wed. 13/05 | Thu. 14/05 | Fri. 15/05 | Sat. 16/05 | Sun. 17/05 | Mon. 18/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresh snow (6h) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Avalanche Risk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow cover North and South at 1500m··· 2000m- - - 2500m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total snow depth (cm) 200 160 120 80 40 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tue. 12/05 | Wed. 13/05 | Thu. 14/05 | Fri. 15/05 | Sat. 16/05 | Sun. 17/05 | Mon. 18/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow limit - North face Snow limit - South face | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow limit (m) 2700 2400 2100 1800 1500 1200 900 600 300 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tue. 12/05 | Wed. 13/05 | Thu. 14/05 | Fri. 15/05 | Sat. 16/05 | Sun. 17/05 | Mon. 18/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iso 0°C | RSL | Weather at 1800m |
Wind at 2500m |
Wind at 3500m |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue. 12/05 | 03h | 1 900 | 1 500 | | 65 | 80 |
| 09h | 2 000 | 1 400 | | 60 | 75 | |
| 15h | 2 300 | - | | 45 | 55 | |
| 21h | 2 500 | - | | 20 | 35 | |
| Wed. 13/05 | 03h | 2 200 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 2 200 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 15h | 2 200 | - | | 25 | 40 | |
| 21h | 2 100 | - | | 20 | 50 | |
| Thu. 14/05 | 03h | 2 100 | 1 600 | | 25 | 45 |
| 09h | 2 100 | 1 500 | | 25 | 40 | |
| 15h | 2 000 | 1 400 | | 25 | 35 | |
| 21h | 1 700 | 1 300 | | 15 | 40 | |
| Fri. 15/05 | 03h | 1 600 | 1 300 | | 10 | 35 |
| 09h | 1 700 | 1 300 | | 15 | 25 | |
| 15h | 1 700 | 1 400 | | 25 | 35 | |
| 21h | 1 500 | 1 200 | | 25 | 35 | |
| Sat. 16/05 | 03h | 1 300 | - | | 20 | 25 |
| 09h | 1 500 | - | | 25 | 30 | |
| 15h | 1 700 | - | | 25 | 30 | |
| 21h | 1 800 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| Sun. 17/05 | 03h | 1 900 | - | | 5 | 10 |
| 09h | 2 300 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| 15h | 2 600 | - | | 20 | 30 | |
| 21h | 2 400 | - | | 10 | 25 | |
| Mon. 18/05 | 03h | 2 300 | 1 800 | | 10 | 30 |
| 09h | 2 300 | 1 800 | | 15 | 35 | |
| 15h | 2 300 | 1 800 | | 20 | 35 | |
| 21h | 2 300 | 1 800 | | 15 | 35 | |
| Avalanche risk |
Snow limit | Snow depth at 2000m |
Fresh snow at 1800m |
|||
| Tue. 12/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 000 m | N : 20 cm S : 10 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Wed. 13/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 20 cm S : 0 cm | 3 cm | |||
| Thu. 14/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 20 cm S : 0 cm | 5 cm | |||
| Fri. 15/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 20 cm S : 0 cm | 4 cm | |||
| Sat. 16/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 20 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Sun. 17/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 15 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Mon. 18/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 15 cm S : 0 cm | ||||
| French Term | English Term | Definition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Départ spontané | Naturally triggered avalanche | Avalanche not caused by external forces, e.g. snowfall or loss in firmness due to weather conditions. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| déclenchable | 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. | AvalancheClarity Static Glossary |
| Haute montagne | High alpine regions | Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas). | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Cumul de neige fraîche | Amount of new snow | Amount of new snow accumulated in a certain period of time, for example, three days. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Accumulation | Snow accumulation | Wind-deposited snow, often in significant depth behind ridges and obstacles. Accumulations form dangerous wind slabs. | AvalancheClarity Static Glossary |
| Neige humide | Wet snow problem | 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 |
| 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 |
| Épaisseur de neige | Snow thickness | Thickness of the snowpack measured at right angle to slope. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Surtout | In particular | In general, avalanches can be triggered by high additional loading, in isolated cases by minimum additional loading. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| 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 raide | Steep slopes | Slopes steeper than approximately 30°, where most slab avalanches occur. The steeper the slope, the lower the additional load needed to trigger a release. | AvalancheClarity Static Glossary |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Neige ventée | Wind slab | The wind-drifted snow problem is related to wind-drifted snow. The transported snow is typically packed on leeward sides into gullies, bowls and behind ridgelines or other wind-sheltered locations. Also commonly known as “windslab”. The problem is less widespread distributed than the new snow problem. | 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 |
| 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 |
| moyen | medium | IACS/UNESCO | |
| Coulée | Sluff | A small downhill movement of snow. | American Meteorological Society |
| Risque | Risk | Likelihood of occurrence combines mathematical probability, risk exposure and possible damages. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| 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 |
| sèche | dry | IACS/UNESCO |
Bulletin d'estimation du risque d'avalanche
(valable en dehors des pistes balisées et ouvertes)
MASSIF : Haute-Tarentaise
rédigé le lundi 18 mai 2026 à 15 h.
Estimation des risques pour le mardi 19 mai 2026
MANTEAU HIVERNAL EN NORD D'ALTITUDE. REDOUX EN JOURNéE PLUS BAS.
Indices de risque : 5 très fort - 4 fort - 3 marqué - 2 limité - 1 faible -- En noir : les pentes les plus dangereuses
Au-dessus de 2600m indice de risque limité, plus bas indice faible.
Départs spontanés : départs en neige humide à cause du redoux.
Déclenchements skieurs : rares plaques dans la neige ventée à haute altitude.
Stabilité du manteau neigeux jusqu'au mardi 19 mai au soir
Situation avalancheuse typique :Neige ventéeNeige humide
Déclenchements provoqués : - Rares plaques dans la neige récente restée froide, au-dessus de 2600 m dans un large secteur Nord. Elles deviennent plus fréquentes et plus volumineuses au-delà de 3200 m en Nord où les conditions demeurent pleinement hivernales. Une avalanche de taille moyenne (taille 2) est possible. Observable : accumulation conséquente de neige meuble. - Là où la neige s'alourdit en cours de journée avec le redoux, (jusqu'à 3200 m ? ), coulées sous le skis en coupant une pente suffisamment raide. Petites à moyennes avalanches. Départs spontanés : avec le redoux prévu en cours de journée, la neige encore froide au réveil s'humidifie à partir de la fin de matinée. Des avalanches naturelles sont à prévoir dans un très large secteur Nord, partout où la neige se transforme (dans une tranche 2600-3200 m ?). L'épaisseur de neige mobilisable peut-être localement importante et générer des avalanches petites à moyennes (taille 1 à 2). L'activité sera plus faible dans les pentes ayant déjà chauffées les jours précédents (notamment le très large secteur Sud). Autres : chute de corniches possibles, les ponts de neige sur les torrents sont fragiles.
Qualité de la neige
Enneigement : Déficitaire pour la saison à cause de la chaleur durablement excessive. La très haute montagne, quasi sèche jusqu'à présent à cause des vents forts, s'est temporairement un peu mieux enneigée.
Limite skiable : vers 2200 m en nord, 2500/2600 m en sud en pente douce, bien plus haut en pente sud raide.
Qualité de la neige : bon regel au réveil. Le redoux engendre une humidification de la neige en tous versants jusqu'à 3000/3200 m, peut être plus haut. La neige se met alors à coller, à botter, surtout là où elle était encore fraîche au réveil, c'est à dire en pente raide, ombragée entre 2600 et 3200 m.
Plus haut en Nord peu ensoleillé, la neige reste poudreuse. On trouve une quantité importante de neige récente : en moyenne 15-20 et localement 40-50 cm.
Aperçu météo pour le mardi 19 mai
| nuit | matin | après-midi | soir | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Ciel clair au réveil devenant nuageux en journée. Eclaircies et redoux en journée. | ||||
| Pluie-Neige | - | - | - | - |
| Iso 0°C | 2300 m | 2700 m | 2800 m | 2900 m |
| Vent 2500 m | 10 km/h | 15 km/h | 20 km/h | 15 km/h |
| Vent 3500 m | 30 km/h | 30 km/h | 35 km/h | 35 km/h |
Epaisseur de neige hors-piste
Précipitations à 1800 m
Tendance du mercredi 20 mai
Indice de risque limité
Dans les pentes raides et "ombragés" de haute montagne, la problématique de plaque s'amoindrit mais ne disparait pas pour autant. Gros redoux et cours qui maintient la problématique de neige humide dans les versants qui chauffent trop.
Conditions nivo-météo des 7 derniers jours
Les 7 derniers jours
| mar. 12/05 | mer. 13/05 | jeu. 14/05 | ven. 15/05 | sam. 16/05 | dim. 17/05 | lun. 18/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | 03h | 09h | 15h | 21h | |
| Météo | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Vent (km/h) à 3500m | 80 | 75 | 55 | 35 | 15 | 20 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 40 | 35 | 25 | 35 | 35 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Vent (km/h) à 2500m | 65 | 60 | 45 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
Iso 0°CLimite pluie-neige | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Altitude en m 2400 1600 800 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| mar. 12/05 | mer. 13/05 | jeu. 14/05 | ven. 15/05 | sam. 16/05 | dim. 17/05 | lun. 18/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Neige fraîche (6h) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Risque d'Avalanche | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enneigement versant Nord et Sud à 1500m··· 2000m- - - 2500m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hauteur totale de neige (cm) 200 160 120 80 40 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| mar. 12/05 | mer. 13/05 | jeu. 14/05 | ven. 15/05 | sam. 16/05 | dim. 17/05 | lun. 18/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| mar. 12/05 | mer. 13/05 | jeu. 14/05 | ven. 15/05 | sam. 16/05 | dim. 17/05 | lun. 18/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iso 0°C | LPN | Météo à 1800m |
Vent à 2500m |
Vent à 3500m |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mar. 12/05 | 03h | 1 900 | 1 500 | | 65 | 80 |
| 09h | 2 000 | 1 400 | | 60 | 75 | |
| 15h | 2 300 | - | | 45 | 55 | |
| 21h | 2 500 | - | | 20 | 35 | |
| mer. 13/05 | 03h | 2 200 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 2 200 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 15h | 2 200 | - | | 25 | 40 | |
| 21h | 2 100 | - | | 20 | 50 | |
| jeu. 14/05 | 03h | 2 100 | 1 600 | | 25 | 45 |
| 09h | 2 100 | 1 500 | | 25 | 40 | |
| 15h | 2 000 | 1 400 | | 25 | 35 | |
| 21h | 1 700 | 1 300 | | 15 | 40 | |
| ven. 15/05 | 03h | 1 600 | 1 300 | | 10 | 35 |
| 09h | 1 700 | 1 300 | | 15 | 25 | |
| 15h | 1 700 | 1 400 | | 25 | 35 | |
| 21h | 1 500 | 1 200 | | 25 | 35 | |
| sam. 16/05 | 03h | 1 300 | - | | 20 | 25 |
| 09h | 1 500 | - | | 25 | 30 | |
| 15h | 1 700 | - | | 25 | 30 | |
| 21h | 1 800 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| dim. 17/05 | 03h | 1 900 | - | | 5 | 10 |
| 09h | 2 300 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| 15h | 2 600 | - | | 20 | 30 | |
| 21h | 2 400 | - | | 10 | 25 | |
| lun. 18/05 | 03h | 2 300 | 1 800 | | 10 | 30 |
| 09h | 2 300 | 1 800 | | 15 | 35 | |
| 15h | 2 300 | 1 800 | | 20 | 35 | |
| 21h | 2 300 | 1 800 | | 15 | 35 | |
| Risque avalanche |
Limite enneigement | Enneigement à 2000m |
Neige fraîche à 1800m |
|||
| mar. 12/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 000 m | N : 20 cm S : 10 cm | 0 cm | |||
| mer. 13/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 20 cm S : 0 cm | 3 cm | |||
| jeu. 14/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 20 cm S : 0 cm | 5 cm | |||
| ven. 15/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 20 cm S : 0 cm | 4 cm | |||
| sam. 16/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 20 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| dim. 17/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 15 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| lun. 18/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 15 cm S : 0 cm | ||||