Two people have died in separate accidents on the slopes in Chamonix the day the lifts reopened after being closed for the last seven months.
Many skiers took the opportunity to head back to the slopes for the tail end of the season on Wednesday.
The first accident involved a 23-year-old local resident. He triggered an avalanche and fell 700 metres and was buried under 2 metres of snow.
Despite a helicopter rescue crew, he was declared dead at the scene.
The second death was an experienced guide who was also caught up in an avalanche. He also died on the slopes.
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