The cross-border Mont Blanc Express—which links Martigny (Switzerland) with Chamonix-St-Gervais-les-Bains (France)—halted services between Vallorcine and Argentière/Chamonix at 05:00 on 12 February after local authorities raised avalanche danger to Level 5. The French departmental road beyond Argentière was simultaneously closed, eliminating bus replacement options.
During the shutdown the village of Vallorcine will only be reachable from the Swiss side via Transports Martigny-Region (TMR) trains. French ski areas Balme, Grands Montets and Le Tour also remain closed, creating a logistical headache for seasonal workers who commute daily from the Swiss canton of Valais.
Whether you are a cross-border worker juggling Swiss L-permit days or a holidaymaker rearranging a powder week, VisaHQ can help you keep paperwork from adding to the chaos. Their Switzerland page (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) provides quick visa checks, online applications and passport services so you can focus on rerouting rather than red tape.
![Mont Blanc Express Suspended Between Vallorcine and Chamonix Amid Avalanche Risk]()
Hotel operators in Chamonix valley are arranging staff accommodation on-site, while Swiss tour operators have advised clients to reroute via the Simplon or use the Léman Express to Annecy and onward coach. Rail-freight slots for fresh produce normally using the narrow-gauge line have been rebooked onto SBB Cargo routes, adding 18 hours of transit time.
Mobility policies that rely on weekend leisure trips across the Franco-Swiss border may need short-term amendments: employers should treat late returns as weather-related absences and remind staff that Swiss L-permit days are counted even when stranded in France.
Safety commissions will reassess the line on 13 February; resumption depends on successful preventive avalanche detonations and track clearance.
During the shutdown the village of Vallorcine will only be reachable from the Swiss side via Transports Martigny-Region (TMR) trains. French ski areas Balme, Grands Montets and Le Tour also remain closed, creating a logistical headache for seasonal workers who commute daily from the Swiss canton of Valais.
Whether you are a cross-border worker juggling Swiss L-permit days or a holidaymaker rearranging a powder week, VisaHQ can help you keep paperwork from adding to the chaos. Their Switzerland page (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) provides quick visa checks, online applications and passport services so you can focus on rerouting rather than red tape.
Hotel operators in Chamonix valley are arranging staff accommodation on-site, while Swiss tour operators have advised clients to reroute via the Simplon or use the Léman Express to Annecy and onward coach. Rail-freight slots for fresh produce normally using the narrow-gauge line have been rebooked onto SBB Cargo routes, adding 18 hours of transit time.
Mobility policies that rely on weekend leisure trips across the Franco-Swiss border may need short-term amendments: employers should treat late returns as weather-related absences and remind staff that Swiss L-permit days are counted even when stranded in France.
Safety commissions will reassess the line on 13 February; resumption depends on successful preventive avalanche detonations and track clearance.
