An avalanche was triggered around 2pm today 28 December in the ski area of Clavierein the Alta Val di Susa, near the border with France. The mass of snow fell into an off-piste area. The first news reported the concrete possibility that at least two people were involved even if the subsequent reclamation was negative: four tracks entered and four exited the affected area.
Rescue in action
They intervened on site helicopters, Alpine Rescue, law enforcement and dog units to check for the presence of skiers swept away by the avalanche. Operations are carried out under high alert conditionswith the area kept under close monitoring for security reasons.
The testimony of the ski instructor
To make people fear the worst the testimony of the ski instructor who raised the alarm after seeing the avalanche crash down the mountain ridge. The man, loaded aboard the Alpine Rescue helicopter, declared that he had seen people in the area affected by the avalanche.
I saw two or three people being swept away by the snow
he declared. The rescue services therefore immediately began cleaning operations to track down any people caught in the snow. However, it seems that those who were in the area managed to avoid the avalanche.
What the snow report said
Il avalanche bulletin of today indicates in the Claviere area a degree of danger 3-considerable (on a scale of 1 to 5) above 2000 meters and 2-moderate below. «The abundant fresh snow – we read in the bulletin – as well as the accumulations of windswept snow which in some places have reached a certain thickness remain partly unstable. Natural avalanche activity will decrease. Nonetheless, medium and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible. Furthermore, during the day, especially at the bases of rock faces, small and, on isolated levels, medium-sized wet avalanches are possible.
How an avalanche is created
Avalanche risk in the Alps
Avalanche danger conditions were high in the Western Alps today. The specialized bulletins reported unstable snow cover because of fresh snow and of wind pressurefactors that favor both spontaneous and accidental detachments. The situation also made closures and limitations on Alpine roads necessaryincluding the state road 24 of Montgenevre Between Cesana e Claviere.
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Val di Susa: a high risk area
The event takes place in a particularly delicate period for safety in the mountains: a few days ago, December 26th, an Italian skier was involved in an avalanche in Montgenèvre in critical condition. The Val di Susa area has also seen serious episodes in the pastthe sector represents an area at risk during periods of instability such as the current one.
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The story
Cumiana, climbers stuck on the wall: night rescue by the Alpine Rescue
Antonio Giaimo
December 28, 2025
