Tignes Paralyzed by Snow: Exceptional Lockdown in Mid-April

In Tignes, the weather took a dramatic turn, surprising both residents and tourists. While the first signs of spring had begun to appear, more than a meter of snow fell in just a few hours on the Savoyard resort, creating an unprecedented situation. Due to the high avalanche risk — rated 4 out of 5 — and hazardous road conditions, the local authorities ordered a lockdown on Thursday, April 17, from midnight to 3 p.m., then again starting at 8 p.m. During the break, movement is only allowed within the same neighborhood.

Striking Scenes and a Town at a Standstill

“We’re fully confined. No vehicles are circulating, and pedestrians are supposed to stay home. It’s a bit chaotic,” said Pierrick Lafaye, a local police officer. Some residents, taken by surprise by the intense snowfall, tried to dig out their vehicles, sometimes finding themselves waist-deep in snow.

Schools, the daycare center, and the entire ski area have been closed for the day. Tignes’ mayor, Serge Revial, explained that these measures are meant to “ensure the safety of everyone,” as avalanches have already been reported in the region — notably in Val Thorens, where a man was found in cardiac arrest after being buried under snow.

A Brutal and Unexpected Return of Winter

The contrast is stark: just two days earlier, people were walking around in short sleeves. “We had never seen so little snow this season… and now, overnight, everything has changed,” said a long-time visitor to Val-d’Isère.

Authorities are urging extreme caution throughout the Savoie department, which remains under an orange avalanche alert from Météo-France. In the Haute-Maurienne and Haute-Tarentaise mountain ranges, snow accumulation could exceed two meters. Several roads have already been closed, and road services are advising people to avoid unnecessary travel.

A sudden return to winter that, in a matter of hours, turned the Alps into a full-blown January landscape.