Photo: ronni_007_07 // Instagram
Guests looked on in awe as a massive plume of snow engulfed a Russian ski resort this week. As seen in a video making the rounds on social media, what was purported to be a “controlled” avalanche certainly didn’t feel that way from ground level.
The site of the video was Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Russia and Europe, home to 14 miles of ski slopes and a popular destination for backcountry skiers. The dormant stratovolcano also has the distinction of being the tenth-most prominent peak in the world, standing 18,500 feet above sea level.
The scene was filmed from inside the safety of a building, but guests can be seen outside reacting to the oncoming deluge. Several onlookers can be seen making a beeline for cover, just before they are completely obscured.
As The Sun reports, authorities asserted that the avalanche was triggered to prevent unintended slides after a heavy snowfall in the region. No injuries or deaths were reported.
This isn’t the first time Elbrus has been host to a terrifying “controlled” avalanche, either. In January, a similar video emerged from the resort, where a cameraman looked on as a parking lot was covered in tumbling snow.
