Zermatt ski resort in Switzerland was forced to shut down on January 9, leaving 13,000 tourists stranded, due to heavy snowfall and high risk of avalanches in the area.

This video, captured by an avalanche monitoring company using high-definition CCTV, shows an avalanche that took place in the same area five days previously, on January 4. As powdered snow begins to fall towards the camera, it is followed by a torrent of heavy snow carrying branches and small trees down the side of the mountain.

The Swiss Alps, and particularly the Zermatt area, were placed on the maximum alert level for avalanche risk on January 8. Credit: Twitter/GEOPRAEVENT via Storyful