High up in the Alps lies the town of Vent, a skiing mecca in the shadow of snow-capped peaks. Marc has returned to his hometown for the first time in years. He had abruptly left Vent – and his girlfriend Anne – nine years earlier after a tragedy which he felt responsible for and which cost the life of Anne's brother. Upon seeing Marc again, Anne is overcome by feelings of hurt, resentment – and fear. Fear of having to tell him that her little boy Nico is actually his son. Fortunately, Anne's father Anton eases the way to a tenuous reconciliation. As a violent snowstorm approaches, Anton begs the mayor to cancel an outdoor event and evacuate the town, but to no avail... Suddenly, in the midst of the celebration, a deep rumbling fills the valley and the earth begins to shake. A huge cloud of snow builds up, a foaming sea of ice and snow races towards the town, smashing cars and buildings, burying everything and everyone under meters of hard, compact snow. Some make it to the safety of the church and the hotel. But many others, like Anne and Marc, are missing. Anton coordinates the rescue efforts and, with Nico's help, saves the couple. But the situation is desperate: there are no doctors, there's little medical equipment, and the storm prevents rescue helicopters from approaching. The town must cope on its own, but for how much longer?