Landslide on RN90 in Savoie: Will the Route to Ski Resorts Be Opened Before Winter Holidays?

Landslide on RN90 in Savoie: Will the Route to Ski Resorts Be Opened Before Winter Holidays?

A landslide on the RN90 disrupted access to Savoie ski resorts, stranding thousands of drivers. Occurring near Aigueblanche, the incident involved large rock formations, injuring one motorist. Traffic was initially halted but later restored using a downhill tunnel. With school holidays approaching, authorities are prioritizing safety and road assessments, warning that normal traffic may not resume for several days. Travelers are advised to adjust their schedules to avoid peak congestion as the situation develops.

Landslide Disrupts Access to Ski Resorts in Savoie

This past weekend, a landslide on the RN90, the primary route leading to the Tarentaise ski resorts in Savoie, caused significant disruptions, stranding thousands of drivers in extensive traffic jams. The incident, which occurred near Aigueblanche in the direction of Albertville-Moûtiers, involved three large rock formations totaling 50 cubic meters that broke loose around 10:30 AM on Saturday. One motorist sustained minor injuries as a result.

Initially, traffic was completely halted in the uphill direction, but by early afternoon, it was restored in both directions using a tunnel typically designated for downhill traffic. Albertville Mayor Frédéric Burnier-Framboret remarked to AFP, “The mountain is something alive; it breaks off from time to time. Sometimes it happens on a Saturday, a busy day for travel, and it becomes problematic immediately.”

Future Access and Safety Measures

With the February school holidays just a week away, travelers are understandably anxious about their access to popular destinations like the 3 Valleys, Tignes, Val d’Isère, La Plagne, Les Arcs, and La Rosière.

The immediate priority following the landslide is to secure the affected cliff. Clearing operations were scheduled for Sunday due to the discovery of unstable rocks that pose further risks to the RN90, as explained by Ludovic Trautmann, chief of staff to the prefect. The subsequent steps include assessing potential hazards, reinstalling protective nets, repairing damaged safety barriers, and examining the road condition. Trautmann warned that a return to normal traffic is unlikely for “several days at least.”

Authorities plan to make informed decisions regarding the reopening of this road segment following a geologists’ report on rock stability. Prefect François Ravier indicated that updates on the situation would be communicated “Tuesday or Wednesday,” assuring that access to Savoie resorts would still be feasible. He encouraged motorists to adjust their travel schedules to avoid peak times and promised to provide timely information as the weekend approaches.

Fabrice Pannekoucke, president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, expressed his concerns while anticipating a “degraded mode” of travel for the weekend coinciding with the start of school holidays. He affirmed a commitment to mobilize resources to ensure acceptable travel conditions for all.

On a cautionary note, La Plagne Mayor Jean-Luc Bloch warned that “next Saturday, for the arrival of vacationers, it will not be open, that’s almost certain.” He explained that this restriction would severely reduce the vehicle capacity from 2,200 per hour to 900, leading to significant traffic challenges. He advised all vacationers to plan their travels early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize delays.

As a reminder, this upcoming winter holiday weekend is expected to see around 45,000 vehicles using this route.