Avalanche
Three skiers tragically lost their lives in an avalanche on the eastern ridge of Punta Valgrande, a summit rising to 2,856 meters (9,370 feet) in the Northern Lepontine Alps. The incident occurred shortly after noon on Sunday, January 12, on the Italian-Swiss border in the municipal territory of Trasquera. The victims were identified as Enzo Bonini, 65, owner of a driving school; Matteo Auguadro, 48, a celebrated sailor who competed in the Louis Vuitton Cup from 2005-2007; and Matteo Lomazzi, 34. All three were residents of Verbania. Two other members of the group, Lorenzo Locarni, 32, and Renato Rossi, 63, also from Verbania, survived the avalanche but were transported to the hospital and treated for shock.
The five men had been ascending the mountain on foot using crampons, intending to ski down off-piste. The avalanche struck while they were traveling in single file along a path already marked by previous skiers. Bonini, Auguadro, and Lomazzi were swept away by the snow and carried approximately 400 meters (1,312 feet) downhill. The alarm was raised by witnesses and the two survivors, who were only partially buried by the avalanche. Despite immediate efforts to dig out the buried skiers by the rescue operations conducted by mountain rescue teams, avalanche canine units, and the Guardia di Finanza, efforts to resuscitate the three victims were unsuccessful.
According to ARPA Piemonte, the avalanche risk for the region was “marked” (level 3 out of 5), with recent accumulations of wind-blown snow above 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) posing significant hazards. The area of Punta Valgrande is challenging to access, with steep slopes requiring ski touring or helicopter transport. Mayor Geremia Magliocco of Trasquera described the conditions as treacherous, emphasizing the importance of advanced preparation for anyone venturing into such high-altitude terrain.
“The last accumulations of wind-blown snow are the main source of danger.
Fresh snow and accumulations of wind-blown snow can be triggered by the passage of a single winter sports enthusiast at high altitude; be careful on very steep slopes in areas where there is little to a lot of snow.
In some places, avalanches can involve old snow with angular crystals and reach large dimensions.
The danger points are partly covered in snow and are barely identifiable. Excursions require experience in assessing avalanche danger and a careful choice of route.”
– Translation of the avalanche forecast for the day
The Aineva.it bulletin warned of dangerous conditions in the region, noting that fresh accumulations of snow and unstable layers could be triggered by a single skier. The bulletin urged caution on steep slopes and highlighted the importance of experience and informed decision-making in navigating avalanche-prone areas.
The fatalities added to a tragic day in the Alps as an avalanche in an off-piste area at Val d’Isere, France, also killed two skiers.
The Lepontine Alps are a mountain range spanning across Switzerland and Italy, extending into the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. The Lepontine Alps boast several major ski resorts, including Obersaxen/Mundaun/Val Lumnezia with 75 miles (120 kilometers) of slopes, Andermatt/Oberalp/Sedrun offering 43 miles (70 kilometers) of slopes, as well as other notable destinations like Gemsstock, Impianti Airolo-Lüina, Alpe Ciamporino, and San Domenico di Varzo, collectively providing over 339 miles (546 kilometers) of slopes across more than 30 ski resorts in the region.
The highest peak in the Lepontine Alps is Monte Leone, which stands at an impressive elevation of 3,553 meters (11,657 feet). Located on the border between Switzerland and Italy, Monte Leone is considered the most prominent mountain in the Simplon Pass area.
