Two British Skiers Are Killed in Devastating Avalanche Alongside Another Man in Val d’Isère as Instructor Faces Scrutiny

A devastating avalanche in the French ski resort of Val d’Isère has claimed the lives of two British skiers, alongside a French national, leaving friends, family, and the skiing community reeling.

The victims, Stuart Leslie, 46, and Shaun Overy, 51, were part of a small group skiing off-piste in the Manchet valley when the mountain turned deadly on Friday morning.

The group was swept hundreds of metres down the slope at around 11:30am before being carried into a stream at the base of the mountainside, where rescuers later recovered their bodies.

A third British skier survived with minor injuries, reportedly digging himself out from the snow, while a French man skiing alone higher up the mountain was also killed.

Remembering Stuart Leslie: A Life in the Powder

Stuart Leslie, a sales and marketing director at Barratt Redrow, was known for his passion for off-piste skiing.

Friends and family described him as happiest when carving through untouched powder, a sentiment he frequently shared online.

In December 2023, he wrote about the thrill of skiing in isolated snowy landscapes, and a year later he posted about exploring the Alps with his ski team, highlighting his love for venturing beyond marked pistes.

Leslie’s joy on the slopes was matched by a deep personal connection, with close friend Craig Hunter paying tribute:

“When we skied together, he was at his happiest.

Skiing fresh powder was pure freedom.

I take comfort in believing he is with Anna now, his one true love.

In that belief, I find the only peace I can in such a profound loss.”

Leslie’s wife, Anastasia, passed away in 2017, leaving him to find solace in the mountains he loved so dearly.

Shaun Overy: Family Man and Seasoned Skier

Shaun Overy, who ran a plumbing business in Wimbledon with his wife Francesca, was also a skilled off-piste skier.

Social media posts show him enjoying the slopes at nearby resorts, including Tignes, with his wife and daughter.

Francesca, who co-directed their family business, shared in his love for outdoor adventures.

Friends and colleagues remember Overy as someone who balanced his family life with his adventurous spirit, making this sudden loss even more poignant.

Extreme Avalanche Conditions in Val d’Isère

The avalanche came less than 24 hours after the Savoie region was placed under a rare red avalanche alert—a warning issued only twice in 25 years.

Although the alert was lifted Friday morning, the danger level remained officially “high,” with avalanches easily triggered by skiers or hikers.

Storm Nils had recently dumped up to a metre of fresh snow, leaving what Météo-France called a “very unstable snow cover.”

Several nearby ski resorts, including La Plagne, Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry, and La Grave, were forced to close due to the extreme conditions.

Skiers are generally advised to avoid off-piste areas when the avalanche risk is above level three, but the group had chosen to continue under instructor supervision.

Alcohol and drug tests for those involved, including the instructor, came back negative.

Investigation Underway and Challenges in Rescue

French mountain rescue authorities, CRS Alpes, have launched a manslaughter investigation, as is standard procedure following fatal accidents in the mountains.

Albertville prosecutor Benoît Bachelet is overseeing the case.

Val d’Isère piste director Cédric Bonnevie described the avalanche as tearing down the slope for 400 metres before ending in a stream.

Two victims were located quickly thanks to avalanche transceivers, but the third’s device had been submerged underwater, delaying recovery.

Rescue teams deployed dogs and probes to locate the final victim hours later.

The Bigger Picture: Avalanche Risks in the Alps

Fatalities in winter sports often happen off-piste rather than on secured runs.

Avalanches account for roughly half of these deaths in countries like France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.

In France alone, the winter season averages around 25 avalanche fatalities, with at least 25 already reported this season.

The tragic events in Val d’Isère underscore the continuing dangers that winter adventurers face in the Alps, even when following safety advice or skiing under supervision.

What’s Next?

The investigation into the Val d’Isère avalanche will focus on the circumstances surrounding the accident, including whether the instructor followed all safety protocols and whether conditions were properly assessed.

Local authorities may also review avalanche monitoring and warning systems, especially after the rare red alert earlier in the week.

For families and friends of the victims, the coming days will likely be spent navigating grief while questions about safety on the slopes remain unanswered.

Summary

Two British skiers, Stuart Leslie and Shaun Overy, lost their lives in a catastrophic avalanche in Val d’Isère, alongside a French national. A third British skier survived.

The tragedy occurred amid extreme avalanche conditions following Storm Nils and a rare red alert in Savoie.

Authorities have launched a manslaughter investigation, while friends and family remember the victims as passionate, adventurous, and devoted to the mountains they loved.

The incident highlights the high risks associated with off-piste skiing and the importance of caution even under instructor supervision.