On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, the Hautes-Alpes were the scene of an exceptional operation when 240 skiers, trapped on a chairlift at the Superdévoluy resort, needed to be evacuated by helicopter. These skiers, suspended in the air for several hours, were rescued thanks to a rapid and effective coordination of emergency services, highlighting the skills of the rescue teams in alpine environments. Thanks to the swift intervention, all skiers were evacuated safe and sound, without injuries.
An unexpected incident on the chairlift
Around 1 PM, a power failure abruptly halted the operation of the Festoure chairlift, immobilizing all passengers on board. When they realized the situation, a wave of panic swept through the minds. Fortunately, no one sustained physical injuries. Authorities were quickly notified, and an evacuation plan was put in place to address this potentially dangerous incident.
A well-prepared rescue operation
To deal with this delicate situation, an impressive rescue operation was deployed. Gendarmes from the high mountain gendarmerie platoon (PGHM) as well as a team of firefighters were mobilized. Gendarmes from the temporary post in Superdévoluy were also present to ensure the safety of the skiers while waiting for their evacuation. A gathering point was established to effectively manage the operations.
Helicopter evacuation, a complex operation
To evacuate the skiers, the teams chose to use helicopters to quickly reach the distressed individuals. With meticulous hoisting, the rescuers extracted the skiers one by one, allowing them to descend safely. This operation, which began shortly after 4 PM, lasted nearly three hours and required incredible expertise from the pilots and ground teams to manage the conditions in the mountains.
A return to normalcy for the skiers
Once the evacuation operation was completed, the municipal authorities of Dévoluy opened a reception area to allow the rescued skiers to rest after this harrowing experience. This not only helped comfort anxious skiers but also provided a temporary resting space due to the fatigue accumulated during the wait. All skiers left after being informed of the measures to take in future incidents of this kind.
