According to reporting by PlanetSKI, the 2025/26 winter season in Europe has concluded with a total of 149 avalanche-related fatalities. This figure surpasses the 147 deaths recorded during the 2017/18 season, though it remains within the historical fluctuations of annual avalanche statistics. For comparison, the 2024/25 season saw 70 deaths, while the long-term annual average typically hovers around 100.
The instability of the snowpack this season was largely dictated by weather patterns that began in November. Early cold spells fostered the development of faceted snow crystals deep within the base of the snowpack. When heavy precipitation arrived in January and February, this added significant weight to these weak layers, creating a high-risk environment. Most incidents were linked to wind slab avalanches or structural collapses, often triggered by individuals venturing into the backcountry after fresh snowfall.
Tragically, the season continued to claim lives into May. Recent reports detail two incidents: a skier was killed on the north face of the Aiguille du Plan in Chamonix, and a ski mountaineer perished while ascending the Aiguillette de l’Olan in Saint Christophe en Oisas. Both incidents occurred under Level 2 avalanche risk conditions, highlighting the difficulty even experts faced in identifying danger this season.
Regional data provided by the European Avalanche Warning Services shows that Italy recorded the highest number of fatalities with 40, followed by France with 34 and Austria with 33. Several nations, including Germany and Sweden, reported zero avalanche-related deaths.
While this season's toll is severe, it remains below the record set in the winter of 1950/51, when 247 people died across Europe—a season that saw 98 deaths in Switzerland alone and widespread destruction of infrastructure. As the season transitions, the pattern of incidents serves as a sobering reminder of the volatility of mountain environments, even for those with extensive training and experience.
