Video Shows Avalanche Racing Toward People on Russia's Mount Elbrus (Watch)

A terrifying scene unfolded at Russia’s Mount Elbrus as a huge avalanche raced towards onlookers. 

The peak, which is Europe’s highest at more than 18,500 feet, is home to a varied collection of ski slopes and lifts. Like other resorts, it’s also prone to avalanches. Reportedly, to control the risk, authorities triggered the slide. But from the looks of this video, it may have been much bigger than expected. 

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In the footage, clouds of snow engulf trees and cars as at least two people race for cover. Despite the apparent size of the avalanche, though, no fatalities have been reported. Before the slide, on January 10, there were closures to chairlifts and trails at the Elbrus resort because of the avalanche danger.

Elsewhere across Europe, the avalanche danger remains “considerable” in parts of the Alps and Pyrenees, according to the European Avalanche Warning Services. The agency has also reported 32 avalanche fatalities during the 2025-26 ski season, most of which have taken place in Italy.

The incident in Russia follows a prior tragedy at Mount Elbrus in September 2025, when a cable car broke, and three people died. Afterwards, the director and chief engineer of the cable car company were arrested and eventually charged.

Why Do Ski Resorts Trigger Avalanches?

The idea, at face value, may sound counterintuitive. But mountains, like the one shown in this video, artificially trigger avalanches to avoid larger slides in the future. They also do so to open terrain for skiers.

Techniques used vary. In Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon, military howitzers were famously employed to trigger avalanches from afar. Ski patrollers often throw hand charges in person. An increasing number of ski resorts are also adopting remote towers that drop explosives. This way, patrollers can clear a run while staying out of harm’s way.

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