Skiing in Switzerland – Accidents on the slopes kill six people a year

– Accidents on the slopes kill six people a year

The two tragedies that occurred in French resorts have brought to light the danger of slips. An expert gives his advice.

Posted today at 6:58 p.m.

Collisions between people account for around 7% of ski accidents in Switzerland (illustration photo).

KEYSTONE/Jean-Christophe Bott

The death of French actor Gaspard Ulliel on Wednesday following a skiing accident in Savoie reminds us that an outing in the snow can quickly turn into a tragedy. A few days earlier, a 5-year-old girl had also died after being hit by a skier in Flaine, a resort near the Swiss border.

On this topic

Each year, about 65’000 accidents involving skiers or snowboarders occur on marked slopes in Switzerland, according to the Accident Prevention Bureau (BPA). And six deaths on average are to be deplored each year in the country. Collisions between people such as those that have occurred in neighboring France represent approximately 7% of all ski accidents and 10% of fatal accidents.