Four helicopters were evacuating some 100 tourists and hotel workers from a four-star mountainside hotel and a nearby guesthouse in northern Italy after an avalanche overnight, civil protection authorities have said. An aerial view of the Langtauferer hotel in the Venosta valley, northern Italy. "The avalanche risk is still present." Photo: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via APThe Langtauferer hotel boasts views of a 3,700-metre summit and advertises itself as being ideal for skiers, who can start their runs right outside the hotel door. In France, the Chamonix ski area at the foot of Mont Blanc was closed due to what officials said was the highest avalanche risk.

Source: Evening echo January 23, 2018 14:26 UTC