Chaos in the Alps as massive snowfall traps 15,000 cars
Heavy snowfall in the French Alps has trapped 15,000 cars, left more than 2,000 people - mainly British - stranded at Chambery airport, and shut roads throughout Savoie
9:11PM GMT 27 Dec 2014
Skiers trying to make their way to and from French Alps resorts were plunged into chaos on Saturday night as 15,000 cars were trapped on the roads and emergency overnight centres were set up to shelter trapped tourists.
Across the Savoie region, thousands of people were trapped in their cars, snowed in their chalets or stranded at airports as long-awaited snow finally dumped on the Alps - several feet, in some places.
A 27-year-old man was killed on the road near Chambéry, as his car skidded off the road at midday en route to the small resort of Collet d'Allevard, and fell 200m. A woman in the car with him was lightly injured.
Two buses were reported to have crashed on the road to La Plagne, causing six-mile tailbacks, according to ski company Adventures in the Alps.
Police turned back drivers who were not equipped with snow tyres or snow chains.
At Chambéry airport, 2,063 people were unable to leave the site – the majority of them British.
Half of those were expected to be transferred to an emergency shelter in Aix-les-Bains, while the others would be accommodated in the sports hall in Marlioz.
Those in the ski resorts posted photos on social media showing up to a foot of snow, and gleefully reported being snowed in, with photos of chalet hosts shovelling snow that had settled on their doorsteps.
But those on the roads, at the stations and arriving in airports were less fortunate.
Early on Saturday morning, the road along the Tarentaise Valley, between Albertville and Moutiers – a key artery into the popular resorts of the Three Valleys and Val d'Isere – was blocked, due to waiting for cars to put on snow chains.
And by mid afternoon the traffic backlog was growing.
Bernard Cazeneuve, the interior minister, appealed for motorists to be cautious, adding that 36,000 vehicles were expected in the Tarentaise Valley – but the capacity was only for 7,000 to pass through.
Tourists heading to ski resorts prepare to spend the night in an emergency accomodation centre after being stuck on the road due to heavy snowfalls in Albertville (JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images)
Tourists heading to ski resorts prepare to spend the night in an emergency accomodation centre after being stuck on the road due to heavy snowfalls in Albertville (JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images)
Only cars with snow chains were able to pass through, leaving hundreds of other passengers stranded.
Emergency shelters were set up in 12 locations across the Savoie region – among them Albertville, Bourg Saint-Maurice, Moûtiers, and Chambéry.
"Some people will be able to make a U-turn, but others, who are only a few kilometres from the resorts, will be accommodated in the emergency shelters," said a spokesman for the Savoie prefecture.
At 7pm on Saturday night Le Dauphine Libere, the local newspaper,reported that 500 people were trapped at the station in Aime, with the local mayors speaking to a coach firm to work out how to transport the holidaymakers. All hoteliers were being asked to accommodate stranded tourists.
Hotels were full to overflowing and the search for a roof for the night became increasingly desperate.
In Aix-les-Bains, more than 120 travellers were being looked after by volunteers from the Red Cross at the emergency shelter in the town hall, which was opened at 6pm.
Vehicles with snow chains were able to come down from the resort of La Plagne, but not go up to the ski station.
And in the Isere valley, traffic was moving – but very cautiously.
At 9.30pm the local prefecture asked everyone to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary – given that the conditions were expected to deteriorate overnight.
"We have spoken to local police – all roads in to ski stations in the Tarentaise Valley are closed," wrote Adventures in the Alps.
"There are emergency places to stay in Moutiers, Bourg and Albertville. Stop where you are now and find a hotel as there are no rooms available locally. Do not attempt to travel in to the valley if you are not already in it. Hopefully everything will reopen tomorrow!"
In other parts of France wind rather than snow caused chaos with storms reaching 100 mph. It led to the temporary closure of Calais and suspension of cross channel car ferries.
