A rockfall and landslide yesterday (Saturday 01 February) blocked the main road into Moutiers and the Tarentaise affecting 10,000 vehicles and causing a 16 mile tailback.
The incident occurred around 10:45am on the RN90, near the exit to 'Moûtiers Nord'. One person in a car was slightly injured and taken to hospital by the emergency services.
Although an alternative route was set up through the Ponserand tunnel between Aigueblanche and Moûtiers, capacity was reduced to 800 to 1000 vehicles per hour instead of 2500 to 3000.
French Red Cross teams distributed food to stranded vehicles and emergency accommodation was provided to motorists last night in Aix-les-Bains, Albertville and Moutiers.
The mayor of Albertville confirmed on Saturday evening that he had housed 500 people in the town, including 450 in the Olympic Hall.
The RD 1090 remains closed to traffic in both directions as other blocks may still be unstable. The road is not expected to reopen before the beginning of next week.
Over 30,000 vehicles were expected to access the resorts of the Tarentaise valley this weekend, travelling to resorts including Les Arcs, Val d'Isere, Tignes, Val Thorens, Courchevel and Méribel.
Pierrick, a snowplough driver interviewed on BFMTV said: "We are going to host the Winter Olympics [in 2030] and we've can't even access the valley."
