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: Sunday, May 24, 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 Sunday 24 May 2026 at 15:00.
Risk assessment for Monday 25 May 2026
DEEP WETTING OF THE SNOW COVER UP TO HIGH ALPINE REGIONS.
Risk indices: 5 very high - 4 high - 3 considerable - 2 moderate - 1 low -- In black: the most dangerous slopes
Above 2800m moderate risk level, lower down low level.
Naturally triggered avalanches: rare wet snow releases.
Skier-triggered releases: rare residual slabs on the highest North slopes of the massif.
Stability of the snow cover until Monday 25 May evening
Typical avalanche situation:
Wet snow
Naturally triggered avalanches: low activity at daybreak. Then, with the daytime warming, rare natural wet snow avalanches are possible mainly above 3000 m in a wide North sector. The volumes involved can be large in the rare case where meltwater percolates down to a fragile buried layer and destabilizes the thickness of the snow cover affected by the wetting. In other aspects (and altitudes), the snow cover is more spring-like and presents less risk (except for residual glide slabs). Skier-triggered release: sluffs under skis when crossing a sufficiently steep slope in rotten (very wet) snow. Small avalanches. On a very steep, full North slope in high alpine regions - where the snow is still cold - a small residual slab may be enough to unbalance the skier who triggers it. Others: cornice falls and rare glide slabs possible.
Snow quality
Snow conditions: below average for the season due to the lasting excessive heat this spring. The summer heat in the coming days will signal the end of this 25/26 season.
Skiable limit: around 2100 m on North aspects, 2500 m on South aspects on gentle slopes, much higher on steep South slopes.
Snow quality: refreezing is poor overall. The crust breaks down quickly due to the high temperatures and the May sun. With daytime warming, the snow becomes sticky across wide North-facing slopes above 3000 m. Spring snow is better at the same altitude on other aspects.
Cold snow is now reserved for steep slope skiers in high alpine regions - North-facing at over 3200 m and at least 40°.
Weather overview for Monday 25 May
| night | morning | afternoon | evening | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  | |
| Grosses chaleurs et Soleil généreux. | ||||
| Rain-Snow | - | - | - | - |
| Iso 0°C | 4000 m | 4000 m | 4000 m | 4000 m |
| Wind 2500 m | 5 km/h | 5 km/h | 10 km/h | 10 km/h |
| Wind 3500 m | 15 km/h | 15 km/h | 15 km/h | 15 km/h |
Off-piste snow depth
Precipitation at 1800 m
Trend for Tuesday 26 May
Risk index moderate
Summer-like conditions continue. Continued wetting of the snow cover on North-facing slopes in high alpine regions, inducing a moderate risk after a few hours of solar radiation.
Snow-weather conditions for the last 7 days
Last 7 days
| Mon. 18/05 | Tue. 19/05 | Wed. 20/05 | Thu. 21/05 | Fri. 22/05 | Sat. 23/05 | Sun. 24/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 30 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 30 | 35 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 |
| Wind (km/h) at 2500m | 10 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
Iso 0°CRain-snow limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Altitude (m) 4000 3200 2400 1600 800 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mon. 18/05 | Tue. 19/05 | Wed. 20/05 | Thu. 21/05 | Fri. 22/05 | Sat. 23/05 | Sun. 24/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fresh snow (6h) | 0 cm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Avalanche Risk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow cover North and South at 1500m··· 2000m- - - 2500m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total snow depth (cm) 200 160 120 80 40 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mon. 18/05 | Tue. 19/05 | Wed. 20/05 | Thu. 21/05 | Fri. 22/05 | Sat. 23/05 | Sun. 24/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow limit - North face Snow limit - South face | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow limit (m) 3000 2700 2400 2100 1800 1500 1200 900 600 300 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mon. 18/05 | Tue. 19/05 | Wed. 20/05 | Thu. 21/05 | Fri. 22/05 | Sat. 23/05 | Sun. 24/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iso 0°C | RSL | Weather at 1800m |
Wind at 2500m |
Wind at 3500m |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Tue. 19/05 | 03h | 2 300 | - | | 10 | 30 |
| 09h | 2 700 | - | | 15 | 30 | |
| 15h | 2 800 | - | | 20 | 35 | |
| 21h | 2 900 | 2 700 | | 15 | 35 | |
| Wed. 20/05 | 03h | 2 800 | - | | 15 | 35 |
| 09h | 3 100 | - | | 15 | 30 | |
| 15h | 3 100 | - | | 20 | 35 | |
| 21h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 25 | |
| Thu. 21/05 | 03h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 30 |
| 09h | 3 900 | - | | 10 | 25 | |
| 15h | 3 900 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 21h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 20 | |
| Fri. 22/05 | 03h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| 15h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 21h | 4 100 | - | | 5 | 15 | |
| Sat. 23/05 | 03h | 4 100 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| 15h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 21h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 15 | |
| Sun. 24/05 | 03h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| 15h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 21h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 20 | |
| Avalanche risk |
Snow limit | Snow depth at 2000m |
Fresh snow at 1800m |
|||
| Mon. 18/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 15 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Tue. 19/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Wed. 20/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Thu. 21/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Fri. 22/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Sat. 23/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| Sun. 24/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 500 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | ||||
| 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 |
| Haute montagne | High alpine regions | Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas). | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| Ubac | North-facing slopes | The shady, north-facing side of a mountain. Snow persists longer and weak layers are better preserved on ubac slopes. | 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 |
| ensoleillement | solar radiation | Light and heat energy from the sun. Much of this is in the Ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum. | Avalanche Center (US) |
| 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 slope | 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 |
| reptation | Glide Slabs | A cohesive slab of snow, often consisting of the entire snowpack, that lacks significant support or friction from the bed surface. | Avalanche Canada |
| 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 |
| Très pentu | Very steep | Quite unfavourable slope with regard to angle (steeper than 40 degrees), terrain profile, proximity to ridge, smoothness of underlying ground surface. | 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 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 |
| mouillée | very wet | IACS/UNESCO | |
| 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 |
| Croûte | Crust | Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind. | European Avalanche Warning Services |
| 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 |
Bulletin d'estimation du risque d'avalanche
(valable en dehors des pistes balisées et ouvertes)
MASSIF : Haute-Tarentaise
rédigé le dimanche 24 mai 2026 à 15 h.
Estimation des risques pour le lundi 25 mai 2026
HUMIDIFICATION DU MANTEAU EN PROFONDEUR JUSQU'A TRES HAUTE ALTITUDE.
Indices de risque : 5 très fort - 4 fort - 3 marqué - 2 limité - 1 faible -- En noir : les pentes les plus dangereuses
Au-dessus de 2800m indice de risque limité, plus bas indice faible.
Départs spontanés : rares départs en neige humide.
Déclenchements skieurs : rares plaques résiduelles dans les plus hautes pentes Nord du massif.
Stabilité du manteau neigeux jusqu'au lundi 25 mai au soir
Situation avalancheuse typique :Neige humide
Départs spontanés : activité faible au levé du jour. Puis, avec le réchauffement diurne, de rares avalanches naturelles de neige humide sont possibles principalement au-dessus de 3000 m dans un large secteur Nord. Les volumes mobilisés peuvent être importants dans le rare cas où l'eau de fonte percole jusqu'à une couche fragile enfouie et déstabilise l'épaisseur du manteau concerné par l'humidification. Dans les autres orientations (et altitudes), le manteau est davantage printanier et présente moins de risque (exceptées les plaques de fond résiduelles). Déclenchements provoqués : coulées sous le skis en coupant une pente suffisamment raide en neige pourrie (très humide). Petites avalanches. Dans une pente très raide et plein Nord de haute montagne -là où la neige est encore froide-, une petite plaque résiduelle peut suffire à déséquilibrer le skieur qui la déclenche. Autres : chute de corniches et rares plaques de fond possibles.
Qualité de la neige
Enneigement : déficitaire pour la saison à cause de la chaleur durablement excessive ce printemps. La chaleur estivale des jours à venir va siffler la fin de cette saison 25/26.
Limite skiable : vers 2100 m en nord, 2500 m en sud en pente douce, bien plus haut en pente sud raide.
Qualité de la neige : regel mauvais dans l'ensemble. La croûte lâche rapidement à cause des fortes chaleurs et du Soleil de Mai. Avec le réchauffement diurne, la neige devient collante en large versant Nord au-dessus de 3000 m. La neige de printemps est meilleure à altitude égale dans les autres orientations.
La neige froide est désormais réservée aux skieurs/skieuses de pente raide de haute montagne -Nord à plus de 3200 m et 40° au moins-.
Aperçu météo pour le lundi 25 mai
| nuit | matin | après-midi | soir | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Grosses chaleurs et Soleil généreux. | ||||
| Pluie-Neige | - | - | - | - |
| Iso 0°C | 4000 m | 4000 m | 4000 m | 4000 m |
| Vent 2500 m | 5 km/h | 5 km/h | 10 km/h | 10 km/h |
| Vent 3500 m | 15 km/h | 15 km/h | 15 km/h | 15 km/h |
Epaisseur de neige hors-piste
Précipitations à 1800 m
Tendance du mardi 26 mai
Indice de risque limité
Maintient des conditions estivales. Poursuite de l'humidification du manteau dans les versants Nord de haute montagne, induisant un risque limité après quelques heures d'ensoleillement.
Conditions nivo-météo des 7 derniers jours
Les 7 derniers jours
| lun. 18/05 | mar. 19/05 | mer. 20/05 | jeu. 21/05 | ven. 22/05 | sam. 23/05 | dim. 24/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 30 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 30 | 35 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 |
| Vent (km/h) à 2500m | 10 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
Iso 0°CLimite pluie-neige | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Altitude en m 4000 3200 2400 1600 800 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| lun. 18/05 | mar. 19/05 | mer. 20/05 | jeu. 21/05 | ven. 22/05 | sam. 23/05 | dim. 24/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Neige fraîche (6h) | 0 cm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Risque d'Avalanche | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enneigement versant Nord et Sud à 1500m··· 2000m- - - 2500m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hauteur totale de neige (cm) 200 160 120 80 40 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| lun. 18/05 | mar. 19/05 | mer. 20/05 | jeu. 21/05 | ven. 22/05 | sam. 23/05 | dim. 24/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Limite de l'enneigement - Versant Nord Limite de l'enneigement - Versant Sud | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Limite d'enneigement (m) 3000 2700 2400 2100 1800 1500 1200 900 600 300 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| lun. 18/05 | mar. 19/05 | mer. 20/05 | jeu. 21/05 | ven. 22/05 | sam. 23/05 | dim. 24/05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iso 0°C | LPN | Météo à 1800m |
Vent à 2500m |
Vent à 3500m |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| mar. 19/05 | 03h | 2 300 | - | | 10 | 30 |
| 09h | 2 700 | - | | 15 | 30 | |
| 15h | 2 800 | - | | 20 | 35 | |
| 21h | 2 900 | 2 700 | | 15 | 35 | |
| mer. 20/05 | 03h | 2 800 | - | | 15 | 35 |
| 09h | 3 100 | - | | 15 | 30 | |
| 15h | 3 100 | - | | 20 | 35 | |
| 21h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 25 | |
| jeu. 21/05 | 03h | 3 200 | - | | 10 | 30 |
| 09h | 3 900 | - | | 10 | 25 | |
| 15h | 3 900 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 21h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 20 | |
| ven. 22/05 | 03h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| 15h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 21h | 4 100 | - | | 5 | 15 | |
| sam. 23/05 | 03h | 4 100 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| 15h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 21h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 15 | |
| dim. 24/05 | 03h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 15 |
| 09h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 15 | |
| 15h | 4 000 | - | | 10 | 20 | |
| 21h | 4 000 | - | | 5 | 20 | |
| Risque avalanche |
Limite enneigement | Enneigement à 2000m |
Neige fraîche à 1800m |
|||
| lun. 18/05 | N : 2 000 m S : 2 300 m | N : 15 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| mar. 19/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| mer. 20/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| jeu. 21/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| ven. 22/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| sam. 23/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 400 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | 0 cm | |||
| dim. 24/05 | N : 2 100 m S : 2 500 m | N : 0 cm S : 0 cm | ||||