Heavy snowfall traps Zermatt tourists

Several hundred travellers were airlifted out of Zermatt, Switzerland on Tuesday (Jan. 9), after heavy snowfall and a high avalanche alert trapped more than 13,000 in the famed ski region.

According to reports, more than a metre of snow fell in under 24 hours on the village, leaving the region without electricity at the height of ski season. With roads and railways closed due to avalanche warnings since Monday (when the avalanche alert was raised to its highest level), tourists wishing to leave have been airlifted by helicopter. According to local police, between 300 and 400 travellers were airlifted on Tuesday.

The rail line is expected to remain closed until at least this afternoon.

#Lawinengefahr Stufe 5 von 5 im #Südwallis gemäss #SLF. Das letzte Mal gab es Stufe 5 vor 9 Jahren mit einer ähnlichen Wetterlage wie aktuell. Föhn aus Südost #Rofel brachte viel Neuschnee nach #Zermatt.@WSL_research #Schnee
^ds pic.twitter.com/9S0E1ews0H

— SRF Meteo (@srfmeteo) January 9, 2018