Skier killed on the Cosmiques Couloir
A skier was killed on the Cosmiques Couloir at the weekend after falling nearly 500m. Situated not far from the Aiguille du Midi, on the south side, the rescue services was swiftly alerted by the victims' companion, but were unable to revive the 31 year old man at the scene. It has been reported that the victim lost his edge at the top of the couloir and fell. The couloir has sections of 45-50 degree gradient and is a route generally reserved for elite skiers only. The victim has been described an accomplished and experienced skier who had skied the couloir before and this was quite simply a tragic accident. The local PGHM described the snow conditions at the time as pretty good.
The victim was a popular and well known member of the elite skiing and mountaineering community in Grenoble and this incident has shocked many who knew him well. Tributes to him have been posted on a local ski forum website.
