A skier died in an avalanche at the Stubai Glacier on Saturday morning. The accident happened around 11:30 a.m. when a small slab avalanche released off the secured piste, according to the Tirol control center.
The man was skiing down rocky terrain to the left of the Daunscharte when the avalanche caught him and carried him along. He was then pushed into a crevasse at the edge and fell about 20 meters. Rescue teams attempted resuscitation, but he died at the scene. His body has been recovered.
The avalanche released in the area of the Daunferner at the Daunscharte, at an elevation of 3,155 meters. Just over a year ago, a similarly serious incident occurred in the same area when eight people were buried by an avalanche triggered by an off-piste skier. The snow masses partially reached the lower section of piste 9. Those five men and three women were only partially buried and were rescued with minor injuries.
A deadly start to the season
This is the first avalanche death of the young winter season. Last winter, the first avalanche fatality occurred on December 6 on the Zugspitze. In 2024, Tyrol recorded an avalanche death as early as September.
Just a few days ago, the Tyrol avalanche warning service began its work for this winter due to forecasted fresh snow of up to 30 centimeters. The new snow combined with wind increased the avalanche danger in the high mountains.