Three separate avalanches struck popular skiing areas in Telemark, Norway, on Saturday, resulting in lucky escapes for several skiers caught in the snow. Even as no serious injuries were reported, the incidents have prompted urgent warnings from police and rescue services regarding travel in the region during the Easter holiday.
Emergency services responded to the first avalanche on Gaustatoppen at 11:17 a.m. Local time. A second slide occurred in a different chute on the same mountain roughly an hour later, and a third incident was reported in Rauland at 12:45 p.m. In total, three individuals were caught in the slides but managed to free themselves without sustaining injuries.
Authorities are now strongly advising against all travel and ski touring in exposed areas, particularly around Gaustatoppen, citing a significant risk of further slides. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has indicated that avalanche danger is expected to increase in the coming days due to wind and new snowfall.
Close Calls on Gaustatoppen
The first avalanche on Gaustatoppen, a popular destination for Easter ski tours, measured approximately 400 meters in length and 100 meters in width. It occurred in “chute 1,” one of several numbered runs on the mountain’s south-to-north face.
The second slide, which occurred about an hour later in a different chute, resulted in one skier being caught and carried down the mountainside. A police helicopter observed the individual emerging from the snow unaided after sliding approximately 100 meters.
Emergency personnel contacted the skier for a health check. Police confirmed the individual appeared unharmed, largely because they were able to extricate themselves from the debris immediately. Following the first avalanche, police also located ski tracks and made contact with two other individuals who had been caught in that slide; they too were reported to be okay.
The rescue operation on Gaustatoppen concluded at 2:46 p.m. However, response efforts were complicated by logistical challenges at the base of the mountain. Rescue teams assembling at the Gaustabanen cable car station found access tough due to a high volume of parked vehicles belonging to travelers.
Volunteers, all emergency services, air ambulance and police helicopter are on site.
Photo: Gaustabanen
Police have requested that travelers avoid the area to ensure emergency vehicles can access the site without obstruction.
Incident in Rauland
Later in the day, at 12:45 p.m., police received a report of a third avalanche in Telemark, this time near Silkedalsnutane in Rauland. According to the reporter, two people were caught in the slide, which was approximately 70 meters long and 25 meters wide.
Both individuals managed to get out of the avalanche debris. An eyewitness at the scene confirmed that no others were buried and alerted authorities specifically to prevent an unnecessary large-scale rescue deployment. Operations leader Inge Omli Landsrød confirmed the details of the report.
Witnesses Describe ‘Wild’ Conditions
Per Morten Bergh, who was skiing in the area with a guide shortly before the first avalanche, witnessed the events from a nearby cabin. He described the situation as dramatic and life-threatening.
“We see life-threatening, absolutely wild. I skied down a safer chute with a guide half an hour before the first slide,” Bergh said.
Bergh noted that while he and his family were on vacation with professional guidance, many others on the mountain were not. “We saw many young people and tourists. Most do not have a guide,” he said.
From the cabin window, Bergh watched a police helicopter circle over the avalanche site. He observed a person lying at the bottom of the second slide before seeing another skier descend to perform a rescue.
Bergh together with the guide.
Photo: Private
“Then a person went down and carried out a rescue, it looked like. Very dramatic,” Bergh added.
Avalanche Danger Rising
While the regional avalanche danger was rated at level 2 out of 5 on Saturday according to Varsom.no, the Norwegian avalanche warning service, experts warn that local conditions can be significantly more hazardous than the general forecast suggests.
According to the Varsom map, the avalanche danger is 2 out of 5 in the region.
Facsimile: VARSOM-NO
Karsten Müller, duty manager for avalanche warning at the NVE, acknowledged that wind speeds may have been higher than anticipated, potentially pushing the danger level to a 3 during the day.
“It has probably blown harder than expected today; we might have been up to danger level three during the day,” Müller said.
Müller emphasized that forecasts cover large regions and cannot account for specific chutes or local terrain features. “We provide warnings for large regions; we cannot say anything about the danger at specific chutes. People must create local assessments; our danger levels give an indication,” he explained.
Because most people are already out on tours, the agency does not typically upgrade warnings in the middle of the day. Instead, they rely on users to observe if weather conditions differ from the forecast and adjust their plans accordingly.
Looking ahead, the NVE expects the situation to deteriorate. Wind is forecast to pick up, and new snow is expected in the southwest and inland areas. The avalanche danger is expected to rise to level 3 on Sunday.
Travelers planning activities in Telemark are urged to consult the latest updates from Varsom.no and adhere strictly to local advice from emergency services.
Have you been skiing in Telemark this Easter? Share your experiences and safety tips in the comments below.
