Access to Major French Resorts Remains Disrupted by Landslide
4th February 2025
The RN90 in the Tarantaise was hit by a rock slide last weekend causing travel chaos. The clear up continues. NEW
It is unlikely to be back to normal for part of the French February half-term, though it is hoped it will re-open fully for the UK one.
Three huge rocks fell from a cliff onto the road near Aigueblanche, at around 10.30am on Saturday.
One person was hurt, a 62-year-old woman, who was taken to Albertville hospital with minor injuries.
Hundreds of people were delayed with many sleeping in emergency accommodation.
We posted on it at the time and shared some social media posts.
The road was partially reopen by Saturday evening but traffic flows were severely limited.
“From 2,200 vehicles an hour, we are down to 900,” said the mayor of La Plagne, Jean-Luc Bloch on Sunday.
He said he was “almost certain” that the road would not fully reopen in time for the start of the half term holidays for the north and south east of France (Zone B) on February 8th.
The road surface now has to be repaired, and safety assessment made on other slopes above the road.
The RN 90 road gives access to major resorts including Val Thorens, Courchevel, Meribel, Les Menuires, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Val d’Isere and Tignes.
“Geologists will have to carry out a more detailed analysis to understand what happened, and to determine the level of stability and risk,” said the Préfet for the Savoie, François Ravier.
Some sections of the media have implied that the rockfall was due to climate change.
There is no evidence to support this.
“There’s probably no link between what happened this weekend and global warming,” said Ludovic Ravanel, geomorphologist and research director at the CNRS and member of the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix.
The authorities have warned that disruption is likely to continue into the peak ski season of the February school holidays.
Up to 40,000 skiers and snowboarders are expected to arrive that weekend
The UK’s main half-term week is Friday 14th February 2025 to Friday 21th February 2025 and it is hoped the road will have re-opened by then.
It is not confirmed though, and there will be difficulties for many UK people trying to get to the resorts ahead of the re-opening.
There are alternative routes to some resorts in the area , but the RN90 is the only main access road to the Tarentaise ski resorts.
Traffic waiting to join the RN90 in Albertville. Image © PlanetSKI
The temporary solution while the RN90 is closed is to divert traffic through the Ponserand tunnel, which has limited capacity.
There is an option by train, but many seats are booked already.
The RN90 is a weekend bottleneck at the best of times, caused by weight of traffic and often the weather.
Some resorts are asking the government to build a tunnel.
“Of course, it will cost tens of millions of euros, but the tourism economy generates a lot of tax revenue, and provides a livelihood for the whole valley, so it’s in our interest to do it,” said La Plagne.
The transfer company Alpine Fleet has been calling for changes.
Here at PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted on short term developments and long term plans.
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