A full-scale avalanche drill in Les Orres

On Monday February 5, the resort of Les Orres was the scene of a full-scale avalanche drill, orchestrated by SEMLORE's safety and rescue teams. Planned since the end of 2023, only a handful of participants were put through their paces to perfect a scenario that participants only discovered when the alarm was sounded at 1.30pm.

The exercise was part of a series of preventive measures aimed at strengthening the preparedness and responsiveness of the services concerned to potential emergency situations in the mountains.

At least 4 victims and all resources mobilized

13:30: The radio alert is given at the rescue station: "Avalanche reported in the Pousterle sector at the start of the Grand Cabane piste. Several victims to be deplored, including at least 4 people buried. A witness on the spot who is gravitating on the depot is in a state of shock."

13:32: The first-aid post alerts the resort's ski patrol.

All the ski patrols are quickly rerouted to the avalanche area. Some remained permanently at the top of the ski area to meet the demands of the still-open ski area. The rest are on site to begin coordinating rescue operations in this complex mountain environment.

Reinforcements are also called in: SEMLORE's ancillary services (snowmaking, mechanics, etc.) and ski school instructors (ESF, ESI, UCPA) go on site. In all, more than 40 people answered the call to reinforce the team of ski patrollers on site.

After assessing the situation, the rescue teams are deployed by the operation leader. The area is secured, and the search for DVA/Recco/Syno devices begins. Drones are deployed over the area, switching to thermal mode to identify hot spots. Sounding waves are set up.

After an hour and a half, more than 10 victims buried in different places had been extracted from the avalanche, 5 of them with life-threatening injuries. First aid was administered and all victims were evacuated to medical centers.

This is the end of the exercise.

All photos

Behind the scenes of exercise preparation

At the end of 2023, the scenario was born in the minds of the ski slopes department and management: a full-scale avalanche drill. After several weeks of working out the most realistic scenario possible, things began to fall into place.

A week before the exercise, members of the team, who had been taken into their confidence, went up to the area selected when the slopes were closed, and prepared the terrain. Holes are dug and mattresses are inserted and covered with snow until D-day.

On the day of the exercise, the "victims" and dummies take the place of the mattresses, and all they have to do is wait for someone to come and rescue them once the alarm has been sounded.

A high level of cooperation between services

This full-scale exercise involved exemplary collaboration between the various services, demonstrating the effective coordination between the ski rescuers, mountain rescuers, emergency medical teams, law enforcement agencies and emergency communications services. All played a crucial role in the planning and supervision of this exercise, which highlighted the many facets of managing such a crisis.

Preparing teams and enhancing their responsiveness

This full-scale avalanche exercise is of vital importance in improving the preparedness of rescue teams and enhancing their responsiveness to potentially dangerous situations in the mountains. By simulating realistic scenarios, the teams were able to perfect their rescue techniques, test their equipment and refine their emergency protocols. This initiative contributes directly to the safety of skiers and visitors to Les Orres.

Les Orres reaffirms its commitment to the safety of its visitors and the quality of its services. The lessons learned from this exercise will be integrated into existing emergency plans, ensuring an ever more effective response to emergency situations.