Same Again; Police Ops and SAR are a State activity under EASA therefore CAT/SPO requirements need not apply. It’s only the UK that has a law about flying in accordance with CAT. So it’s nothing to do with been ‘French’.
I’d argue that the quicker option shown here is less exposure than prolonged high hovering? If any of you ski you will have seen a number of nose in rescues like this.
Its a steep slope to say the least; would you want to try and control a 120kg casualty on a stretcher down it to a flatter spot on skis/crampons with unknown snow depths? It’s hard work to say the least.