Investigation after British skier dies following collision in French Alps

An investigation is underway after a British woman died following a “violent collision” on a ski slope in the French Alps.

The 62-year-old man allegedly hit a stationary skier, a Briton, on the Aiguille Rouge in Les Arcs on Tuesday.

She died shortly afterward, after suffering traumatic shock, according to French newspaper Le Dauphine.

The man broke his leg in the collision. Neither have been named.

The incident took place in the resort of Les Arcs in Savoie, in the south-east of France.

The resort’s slope safety director, Phillipe Janin, told the AFP news agency that it happened around 10:30 a.m. (0930 GMT), as the woman was descending a “well-groomed” black slope from the ‘Red Needle.

Black slopes are extremely difficult slopes considered only for expert skiers.

Mr Janin said the 62-year-old woman lost control of her skis before colliding with a 35-year-old man who was stationary on the slope. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but she died shortly after.

He added that he believed both skiers were wearing helmets and that the man was rushed to the hospital with a broken leg.

Local prosecutor Benoît Bachelet told AFP that an investigation was underway to determine the precise circumstances of the accident.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in France and are in contact with the local authorities.”

According to Domaines Skiables de France, the association which represents ski area operators in France, an average of 10 traumatic deaths are recorded each year on French slopes.

Up to half of them, he adds, result from a collision with an obstacle or another skier.