AvalancheClarity

Maurienne

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

Ski resorts in this massif: Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, Le Corbier, La Toussuire, Les Bottières, Les Karellis, Albiez-Montrond, Orelle, Saint-François-Longchamp, Valloire, Valmeinier

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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1 2 3 4 5

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

(valid outside marked and open runs)

MASSIF : Maurienne

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

To view current vigilance, please visit the website https://vigilance.meteofrance.fr/fr

Risk assessment for Wednesday 01 April 2026

The still wintry snowpack and the wind, which will still be significant in the morning, maintain the risk of reactive slabs.


            Detailed risk
NESW

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

Above 2200m considerable risk index evolving into moderate, lower down moderate index.

Natural avalanches: small releases on leeward and sunny slopes.

Skier-triggered avalanches: a few slabs still sensitive.

Snowpack stability until Wednesday 01 April evening

Typical avalanche situation:Wind slabWind slab

Triggered releases: Some slabs are still being fed by the North to North-East wind in the morning. They are temporarily very reactive as long as the wind is still transporting snow. They are mainly found in leeward accumulation zones (behind ridges, knolls or slope breaks), and right down to the bottom of the slopes. They are more frequent above 2000 m (upper tree line) and on South-West to East slopes (and North to a lesser extent). The fractures reach 15 to 30 cm, for size 1 to 2 (small to medium) avalanches. In the afternoon, with the wind decreasing, the slabs tend to be less reactive.

Natural avalanches:
 - A few small slides are expected on steep slopes with the moistening of the new snow by the sun. Size 1.
 - A small linear release on North to North-East leeward slopes remains possible in the morning. Size 1 to 2.

Snow quality

    Snowpack: a little above average, these recent wintry days are somewhat delaying the inevitable spring melt.

Skiable limit: around 1300 m on North slopes, 1500 m on South slopes.

Snow quality: layer of new snow made very heterogeneous by the wind: average ~10/15 cm around 2000 m, sometimes nothing and the old snow is on the surface, sometimes more than double in the hollows, which you have to aim for for good skiing. Generally densified by the wind, and even wind-packed to hardened near the ridges (where rocks are poking out). Only very sheltered or wooded areas still have light powder.
  

Weather overview for Wednesday 01 April

nightmorningafternoonevening
Sunny in the morning, many clouds over the relief in the afternoon, occasionally giving a few flakes. Wind weakening.
Rain-Snow----
Iso 0°C1300 m1500 m1900 m1400 m
Wind 2000 m 25 km/h 20 km/h 10 km/h 25 km/h
Wind 3000 m 45 km/h 40 km/h 20 km/h 40 km/h

Off-piste snow depth

Tue. 31 March N S 180 cm 2500 m 160 cm 2000 m 95 cm 1500 m 130 cm 2500 m 70 cm 2000 m 5 cm 1500 m Continuous snow cover altitudes: North face : 1300 m South face : 1300 m

Precipitation at 1800 m

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

Trend for Thursday 02 April

Moderate risk index

The weather remains cool and calm, allowing the progressive neutralization of instabilities.

Snow and weather conditions for 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 3000m
50608085758080656550403030404040403030304560707575605550
Wind
(km/h)
at 2000m
30406570607065504040301515252525252020201520404045404030
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)
20 cm5 cm1 cm5 cm0 cm10 cm
Avalanche
Risk
Snow cover North and South at  1500m···   2000m- - -   2500m
Total snow
depth (cm)
240
160
80
0
85909090909095150160160150150150160180180180180180180180
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)
2100
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
0
130080010001100110013001300 150080013001500160016001300
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
3000m
Wed. 25/0303h2 500-
30
50
09h2 200-
40
60
15h1 100900
65
80
21h700400
70
85
Thu. 26/0303h500600
60
75
09h700300
70
80
15h700500
65
80
21h800400
50
65
Fri. 27/0303h900400
40
65
09h1 000-
40
50
15h1 500-
30
40
21h1 300-
15
30
Sat. 28/0303h1 200-
15
30
09h1 500-
25
40
15h1 700-
25
40
21h1 3001 000
25
40
Sun. 29/0303h1 000700
25
40
09h800500
20
30
15h1 400-
20
30
21h1 400-
20
30
Mon. 30/0303h1 500-
15
45
09h1 800-
20
60
15h1 9001 200
40
70
21h1 400900
40
75
Tue. 31/0303h1 500800
45
75
09h1 400-
40
60
15h1 700-
40
55
21h1 300-
30
50
Avalanche
risk
Snow limit Snow depth at
2000m
Fresh snow at
1800m
Wed. 25/03N : 1 300 m
S : 1 500 m
N : 150 cm
S : 55 cm
20 cm
Thu. 26/03N : 800 m
S : 800 m
N : 160 cm
S : 65 cm
5 cm
Fri. 27/03N : 1 000 m
S : 1 300 m
N : 160 cm
S : 60 cm
1 cm
Sat. 28/03N : 1 100 m
S : 1 500 m
N : 150 cm
S : 60 cm
5 cm
Sun. 29/03N : 1 100 m
S : 1 600 m
N : 150 cm
S : 60 cm
0 cm
Mon. 30/03N : 1 300 m
S : 1 600 m
N : 150 cm
S : 60 cm
10 cm
Tue. 31/03N : 1 300 m
S : 1 300 m
N : 160 cm
S : 70 cm

The documentation useful for reading this BRA is available in the 2025 avalanche guide

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

French Translation & Notes

Le manteau encore hivernal et le vent toujours sensible en matinée maintiennent le risque de plaques réactives.

The snowpack remains wintry and the wind, still noticeable in the morning, maintains the risk of reactive slabs.

The term 'manteau' (short for manteau neigeux) refers to the snowpack. 'Sensible' here means 'noticeable' or 'perceptible' rather than 'sensitive'. 'Plaques réactives' are slabs that are easily triggered.

Déclenchements provoqués : Quelques plaques sont encore alimentées par le vent de Nord à Nord-Est en matinée.

Triggered releases: Some slabs are still being fed by the North to North-East wind in the morning.

'Déclenchements provoqués' refers to avalanches triggered by an external load (like a skier). 'Alimentées' (fed) implies that the wind is actively transporting snow to build the slabs.

Elles sont temporairement très réactives tant que le vent transporte encore la neige.

They are temporarily very reactive as long as the wind is still transporting snow.

'Tant que' means 'as long as'. This highlights that the danger is highest during active wind loading.

On les trouve surtout dans les zones d'accumulation sous le vent (derrière les crêtes, croupes ou ruptures de pente), et jusqu'en bas des versants.

They are found mostly in leeward accumulation zones (behind ridges, bumps, or terrain breaks), and all the way to the bottom of the slopes.

'Sous le vent' means 'under the wind' or leeward. 'Croupes' (croups/bumps) and 'ruptures de pente' (terrain breaks) are classic areas for wind slab formation.

Elles sont plus fréquentes au-dessus de 2000 m (limite haute des arbres) et dans les versants Sud-Ouest à Est (et Nord dans une moindre mesure).

They are more frequent above 2000 m (upper treeline) and on South-West to East aspects (and North to a lesser extent).

'Limite haute des arbres' is the treeline. 'Dans une moindre mesure' means 'to a lesser extent'.

Les cassures atteignent 15 à 30 cm, pour des avalanches de taille 1 à 2 (petite à moyenne).

The fractures reach 15 to 30 cm, for size 1 to 2 avalanches (small to medium).

'Cassures' refers to the crown or fracture line of the slab.

L'après-midi, avec la décélération du vent, les plaques tendent à être moins réactives.

In the afternoon, with the deceleration of the wind, the slabs tend to be less reactive.

'Décélération' is a direct cognate. This indicates a slight stabilizing trend as the mechanical loading stops.

Départs spontanés : Quelques petites coulées sont attendues dans les pentes raides avec l'humidification de la neige fraîche par le soleil. Taille 1.

Natural releases: A few small sluffs are expected on steep slopes with the moistening of the fresh snow by the sun. Size 1.

'Coulées' usually refers to small loose-snow avalanches (sluffs). 'Humidification' describes the process of the snow becoming wet/moist, reducing its strength.

Un petit départ linéaire sous le vent de Nord à Nord-Est reste possible le matin. Taille 1 à 2.

A small linear release on North to North-East lee slopes remains possible in the morning. Size 1 to 2.

A 'départ linéaire' (linear release) is synonymous with a slab avalanche (as opposed to a point release).

Beau le matin, nombreux nuages sur le relief l'après-midi, donnant parfois quelques flocons. Vent faiblissant.

Fine in the morning, many clouds over the mountains in the afternoon, sometimes giving a few flakes. Wind weakening.

'Beau' in a weather context means 'fair' or 'sunny'. 'Le relief' refers to the mountainous terrain. 'Flocons' are snowflakes.

Enneigement : un peu au dessus de la moyenne, ces derniers jours hivernaux retardent quelques peu l'inéluctable fonte printanière.

Snow cover: a little above average; these recent wintry days are somewhat delaying the inevitable spring melt.

'Enneigement' means the general snow conditions/depth. 'Fonte printanière' is the spring melt.

Limite skiable : vers 1300 m en Nord, 1500 m en Sud.

Skiable limit: around 1300 m on North aspects, 1500 m on South.

This describes the lowest elevation where there is enough snow to ski without hitting rocks.

Qualité de la neige : couche de neige fraîche rendue très hétérogène par le vent : en moyenne ~10/15 cm vers 2000 m, parfois rien et l'ancienne neige est en surface, parfois plus du double dans les trous, qu'il faut viser pour faire du bon ski.

Snow quality: fresh snow layer made very heterogeneous by the wind: averaging ~10/15 cm around 2000 m, sometimes nothing and the old snow is at the surface, sometimes more than double in the hollows, which you must aim for for good skiing.

'Hétérogène' means varied. 'Trous' literally means holes, but in skiing, it refers to depressions or hollows where wind-blown snow accumulates.

Généralement densifiée par le vent, et même cartonnée à durcie près des crêtes (où les cailloux ressortent).

Generally densified by the wind, and even wind-packed to hardened near the ridges (where rocks are poking out).

'Cartonnée' (cardboard-like) is the classic French term for wind-hammered snow that is difficult to ski. 'Ressortent' means the rocks are showing through the thin snow.

Seules les zones très abritées ou boisées sont encore en poudre légère.

Only very sheltered or wooded areas still have light powder.

'Abritées' (sheltered) and 'boisées' (wooded) are the places where wind doesn't affect the snow quality.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ancien manteau neigeux Old snowpack The snow layers from previous snowfall events that have undergone metamorphism. Weak layers within the old snowpack can persist for weeks or months.
Rayonnement solaire Solar radiation The warming effect of direct sunlight on snow slopes. Solar radiation weakens the snowpack surface, particularly on steep south-facing slopes in spring, increasing wet avalanche risk.
sous le vent leeward / downwind The side of a mountain or ridge protected from the wind, where snow accumulates into drifts and slabs.
croupes croups / knolls Small rounded hills or convexities in the terrain where wind slabs often form.
enneigement snow cover The general amount and distribution of snow on the ground.
cartonnée wind-packed / wind-board Snow that has been compressed by the wind into a stiff, often difficult-to-ski crust.
poudre powder Light, uncompacted fresh snow.
trous hollows / depressions Low points in the terrain where wind-blown snow gathers.
1 2 3 4 5

Bulletin d'estimation du risque d'avalanche

(valable en dehors des pistes balisées et ouvertes)

MASSIF : Maurienne

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

Le manteau encore hivernal et le vent toujours sensible en matinée maintiennent le risque de plaques réactives.


            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 2200m indice de risque marqué évoluant en limité, plus bas indice limité.

Départs spontanés : petits départs sous le vent et au soleil.

Déclenchements skieurs : quelques plaques encore sensibles.

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

Situation avalancheuse typique :Neige ventéeNeige ventée

Déclenchements provoqués : Quelques plaques sont encore alimentées par le vent de Nord à Nord-Est en matinée. Elles sont temporairement très réactives tant que le vent transporte encore la neige. On les trouve surtout dans les zones d'accumulation sous le vent (derrière les crêtes, croupes ou ruptures de pente), et jusqu'en bas des versants. Elles sont plus fréquentes au-dessus de 2000 m (limite haute des arbres) et dans les versants Sud-Ouest à Est (et Nord dans une moindre mesure). Les cassures atteignent 15 à 30 cm, pour des avalanches de taille 1 à 2 (petite à moyenne). L'après-midi, avec la décélération du vent, les plaques tendent à être moins réactives.

Départs spontanés :
 - Quelques petites coulées sont attendues dans les pentes raides avec l'humidification de la neige fraîche par le soleil. Taille 1.
 - Un petit départ linéaire sous le vent de Nord à Nord-Est reste possible le matin. Taille 1 à 2.

Qualité de la neige

    Enneigement : un peu au dessus de la moyenne, ces derniers jours hivernaux retardent quelques peu l'inéluctable fonte printanière.

Limite skiable : vers 1300 m en Nord, 1500 m en Sud.

Qualité de la neige : couche de neige fraîche rendue très hétérogène par le vent : en moyenne ~10/15 cm vers 2000 m, parfois rien et l'ancienne neige est en surface, parfois plus du double dans les trous, qu'il faut viser pour faire du bon ski. Généralement densifiée par le vent, et même cartonnée à durcie près des crêtes (où les cailloux ressortent). Seules les zones très abritées ou boisées sont encore en poudre légère.
  

Aperçu météo pour le mercredi 01 avril

nuitmatinaprès-midisoir
Beau le matin, nombreux nuages sur le relief l'après-midi, donnant parfois quelques flocons. Vent faiblissant.
Pluie-Neige----
Iso 0°C1300 m1500 m1900 m1400 m
Vent 2000 m 25 km/h 20 km/h 10 km/h 25 km/h
Vent 3000 m 45 km/h 40 km/h 20 km/h 40 km/h

Epaisseur de neige hors-piste

mar. 31 mars N S 180 cm 2500 m 160 cm 2000 m 95 cm 1500 m 130 cm 2500 m 70 cm 2000 m 5 cm 1500 m Altitudes d'enneigement continu : Versant NORD : 1300 m Versant SUD : 1300 m

Précipitations à 1800 m

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

Le temps reste frais et calme, permettant la neutralisation progressive des instabilités.

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 3000m
50608085758080656550403030404040403030304560707575605550
Vent
(km/h)
à 2000m
30406570607065504040301515252525252020201520404045404030
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)
20 cm5 cm1 cm5 cm0 cm10 cm
Risque
d'Avalanche
Enneigement versant Nord et Sud à  1500m···   2000m- - -   2500m
Hauteur totale
de neige (cm)
240
160
80
0
85909090909095150160160150150150160180180180180180180180
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)
2100
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
0
130080010001100110013001300 150080013001500160016001300
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
3000m
mer. 25/0303h2 500-
30
50
09h2 200-
40
60
15h1 100900
65
80
21h700400
70
85
jeu. 26/0303h500600
60
75
09h700300
70
80
15h700500
65
80
21h800400
50
65
ven. 27/0303h900400
40
65
09h1 000-
40
50
15h1 500-
30
40
21h1 300-
15
30
sam. 28/0303h1 200-
15
30
09h1 500-
25
40
15h1 700-
25
40
21h1 3001 000
25
40
dim. 29/0303h1 000700
25
40
09h800500
20
30
15h1 400-
20
30
21h1 400-
20
30
lun. 30/0303h1 500-
15
45
09h1 800-
20
60
15h1 9001 200
40
70
21h1 400900
40
75
mar. 31/0303h1 500800
45
75
09h1 400-
40
60
15h1 700-
40
55
21h1 300-
30
50
Risque
avalanche
Limite enneigement Enneigement à
2000m
Neige fraîche à
1800m
mer. 25/03N : 1 300 m
S : 1 500 m
N : 150 cm
S : 55 cm
20 cm
jeu. 26/03N : 800 m
S : 800 m
N : 160 cm
S : 65 cm
5 cm
ven. 27/03N : 1 000 m
S : 1 300 m
N : 160 cm
S : 60 cm
1 cm
sam. 28/03N : 1 100 m
S : 1 500 m
N : 150 cm
S : 60 cm
5 cm
dim. 29/03N : 1 100 m
S : 1 600 m
N : 150 cm
S : 60 cm
0 cm
lun. 30/03N : 1 300 m
S : 1 600 m
N : 150 cm
S : 60 cm
10 cm
mar. 31/03N : 1 300 m
S : 1 300 m
N : 160 cm
S : 70 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.