Five ski tourers hit by an avalanche in the Valais Alps – tragedy on the Rimpfischhorn

Five ski tourers hit by an avalanche in the Valais Alps – tragedy on the Rimpfischhorn

On May 25, 2025, five ski tourers were found dead on the Rimpfischhorn in the Valais Alps. The group had apparently been caught in an avalanche, marking a dramatic tragedy in the region. Two alpinists who were hiking at an altitude of around 4,000 meters on Saturday discovered abandoned skis, which led them to alert rescue workers vol.at reported.

During the subsequent search, the lifeless bodies were found on the Adler Glacier. The emergency services located three of the deceased about 500 meters below the saddle on an avalanche cone, while two other ski tourers were discovered about 200 meters higher on a snow patch. An emergency doctor could only determine that the people were dead, and the identification of the victims had not yet been fully completed at the time of the report.

Investigations and weather conditions

The public prosecutor's office in the canton of Valais has launched an investigation to clarify the exact circumstances of the fatal avalanche. The adverse weather conditions with strong winds and low temperatures are also expected to be part of the investigation. How watson.ch reported that an overflight over the area led to the location of the five ski tourers after the two alpinists made the alarming discoveries.

In addition, another tragic incident occurred on the same day: a 29-year-old ski tourer died in an avalanche on the Morgenhorn in Kandersteg. Here too, mountaineers were affected and the cantonal police began investigations into the circumstances. Statistics show that an average of 33 people in Switzerland have an accident every year while doing off-piste winter sports, with around two thirds of the deaths being caused by avalanches, according to information from alpenverein.de.

The risk of avalanches in skiing

According to current studies, ski touring is considered more dangerous than driving. Every year, one in 23,000 active ski tourers in Switzerland dies in an avalanche. The avalanche risk is considered under different conditions. With an avalanche danger level of 3, the risk is significantly increased, resulting in a higher number of accidents. Men have a three times higher risk of avalanches on ski touring days than women, which also needs to be taken into account.

Recent incidents are a reminder of the importance of safety and risk awareness when dealing with the challenges of mountain sports, especially in times of increased avalanche risk. The combination of increasing numbers of participants and unfavorable weather conditions represents a significant source of danger that athletes should take seriously.