Skied the Meribel area for a week in 1999, well marked pistes and I'm sorry to say if you go off piste then your chances of having a bad fall increase 10 fold. The piste markers are there for good reason, being an experienced skier, he has only himself to blame.
The arrow in the above photo looks to have been placed too far up the slope with regard to the placement of crossed skis I've seen in video of the medical helicopter taking off. From what I understand, the accident was some way into the middle of this rocky area.
Go through there with speed, and you are asking for trouble.
Nevertheless, although I was never a fan of his, I wish him well for a full recovery.