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Col de la Forclaz closed until March 2018

Huge landslide blocks road between France & Switzerland

featured in News & reviews Author Greg van der Donk, Chamonix Contributor Updated

The road connecting Trient to Martigny is to remain closed through February. 5000 cubic metres of rock and mud are blocking the road, just after the col on the Trient side.

Due to continuing instability of the mountainside above the road, it is not just a matter of clearing the road. Hundreds of tonnes of loose rock still threaten the road below. This will have to be cleared via a combination of drilling and explosives, a process that will take several weeks. As such the road is not expected to open until around March 5th.

The unprecedented stormy weather and record snowfalls have caused disruptions all over the road network and will hinder on-going efforts to clear blockages. This is in addition to damage to ski lift infrastructure across the Alps.

Col de la Forclaz is a crucial pass connecting France and Switzerland. Skiers wishing to make use of their 4 Vallees or Unlimited Mont Blanc ski pass in Chamonix or Verbier will have to be patient or face a long trip around via Geneva around Lac Leman. We will keep you updated on any developments.

Source: Le Nouvelliste