A young British man has been killed in a tragic skiing accident in the French Alps after slipping and falling 300 metres down an off-piste slope.
The Incident at Les Arcs 2000
The 24-year-old holidaymaker died on Thursday, December 20, 2025, in the popular resort of Les Arcs 2000. The alarm was raised at 2:29pm after two skiers took a route near Chavonne aux Arcs. One of the pair slipped down the mountain and landed in a snowdrift.
Emergency services, including a helicopter dispatched from Courchevel, discovered the man unconscious and in cardiac arrest. Despite multiple attempts by rescuers to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The other skier involved was airlifted from the hill by the CRS Alpes national police unit.
Heightened Dangers of Early-Season Off-Piste
Ski patrollers and authorities have highlighted the increased risks associated with off-piste skiing at this point in the winter season. The snow cover is typically harder and less thick, creating more hazardous conditions on steep, unprepared terrain.
The resort management issued a statement expressing their "deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim." They have also confirmed that the ski patrollers involved in the response are being offered psychological support.
A Stark Reminder of Alpine Risks
French authorities have reiterated warnings for skiers to avoid steep off-piste areas, especially without proper guidance and equipment. This tragedy underscores the perennial dangers of mountain sports.
Official figures provide sobering context: during the 2023-24 ski season in the French Alps, more than 50,000 skiers sustained injuries, and 29 people died in accidents.
This incident follows another fatal accident earlier in the year. In February 2025, a young British man lost his life after deciding to ski down a challenging slope alone following an après-ski party. His body was discovered the next day near the resort of Morzine in Avoriaz.
