Three off-piste skiers were killed in separate avalanches in the French Alps on January 11, despite warnings of a high avalanche risk, resort officials said. The deaths brought the weekend toll to six. The fatalities occurred at La Plagne, Courchevel, and Vallorcine, according to resort officials and local authorities.
As far as natural disasters go, avalanches often get overshadowed by tornadoes, earthquakes, or even a volcanic eruption. However, a bad avalanche can kill thousands and destroy entire towns and cities.
Find out how devastating an avalanche can be by clicking through this gallery on the worst avalanches in history.