Savoie

Savoie is a department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, known for its mountainous terrain and ski resorts. Recently, Savoie has been in the news due to a fatal bus accident near the Belleville ski station. The accident, which occurred in the early hours of March 28, 2026, resulted in the death of a 12-year-old Israeli tourist and minor injuries to others as the group was traveling to the airport. Savoie is also newsworthy due to the prevalence of heliskiing, an illegal practice in France where skiers are transported by helicopter to remote off-piste locations. Despite the ban, numerous agencies in Savoie offer heliskiing trips, transporting clients to neighboring Switzerland or Italy where the practice is permitted. This highlights the ongoing tension between the region's popularity as a ski destination and the enforcement of environmental regulations.