Rockfall Closes Major Route To Popular Ski Resorts In France

One of our clients Gordon Carmicheal AKA “Hairy” was caught up in the travel chaos over the weekend and has provided the Ski Line sales team with live updates as he made his way with his family to the Club Med hotel in Val Thorens.

A rockfall on the RN90 caused major travel disruptions for skiers heading to the Tarentaise Valley over the weekend.

A rockfall near Aigueblanche at around 10:30 am caused significant travel chaos on the RN90, though, fortunately, there were no fatalities. We understand a 62-year-old woman sustained minor injuries, but the real impact was felt by drivers stranded in traffic stretching up to 30 kilometres (18 miles), unable to reach popular ski resorts such as Courchevel, Méribel, Les Arcs, Tignes, and Val d’Isère.

With the RN90 closed for hours, authorities set up emergency shelters in Albertville, Aix-les-Bains, Montmélian, Moûtiers, and Macot-La Plagne to assist stranded travellers. According to estimates approximately 1,500 people required overnight accommodation.

A partial reopening of the RN90 took place on Saturday evening, but officials cautioned that full access would take “at least several days.” The Savoie department urged travellers to seek alternative routes or overnight stays as disruptions continued.

Geologists conducted aerial inspections to assess the risk of further collapses, and efforts began to stabilize the cliff before crews could start clearing the massive boulders.

Experts have linked the increasing frequency of rockfalls in the Alps to climate change. Rising temperatures, glacier melt, and permafrost thawing have weakened the frozen ground that helps bind rocks together, making landslides and rockfalls more common.

While authorities work to secure the area and prevent further incidents, the road closure impacted one of the busiest ski weekends of the season. Officials warn that traffic disruptions will persist in the coming days and advise travellers to check real-time updates before setting out.

Rockfall Closes Major Route To Popular Ski Resorts In France: A Summary

A major rockfall on the RN90 near Aigueblanche over the weekend caused severe travel disruptions for skiers heading to the Tarentaise Valley, leaving traffic backed up for 30 km and stranding thousands. While no fatalities were reported, a 62-year-old woman sustained minor injuries. Emergency shelters were set up to accommodate around 1,500 travellers as authorities partially reopened the road on Saturday evening, warning that full access would take days. Geologists are assessing risks and stabilizing the area, with experts linking the rise in rockfalls to climate change. The disruption impacted one of the busiest ski weekends of the season, and officials advise travellers to stay updated on road conditions.