Backcountry Skier Dies During Summer Snowstorm in Obertauern, Austria

A 54-year-old backcountry skier died in Obertauern, Austria, during the summer snowstorm on Saturday, September 14. The Slovenian man was reported missing by his friends on Saturday afternoon when he did not return from a backcountry tour. His car was found in the car park at Grünwaldkopfbahn in Obertauern. Search and rescue found his body on Sunday.

A massive 42-men-strong search mission was launched on Sunday morning, September 15, with staff from Mountain Rescue Obertauern, Mauterndorf, Radstadt, the Alpine Police, and members of the mountain rescue dog team. “The conditions were very bad. There was a lot of fresh snow with wind, and there was poor visibility with a high avalanche risk,” said a spokesperson from the emergency services of Obertauern.

Rescue workers received an LVS signal in the Seekareck area at an altitude of 1,987 meters (6,519 feet) and started digging. The body of the missing man was found under two meters (6.5 feet) of snow. A doctor on the rescue team could only determine the death of the Slovenian man. There are no indications of an avalanche and it is believed that the 54-year-old man fell during a climb. However, the Alpine Police is investigating the exact cause of death. “It was said that he was experienced and knowledgable and had undertaken a ski tour in the open terrain,” describes Christian Binggl, operations manager and dog handler of the Mountain Rescue Obertauern. According to Mountain Rescue Obertauern, the 54-year-old man was well-equipped, but conditions are currently treacherous in the area.

Salzburg Moutain Rescue issued a statement on Saturday advising people against venturing out into the mountains during this snowstorm. Balthasar Laireiter, regional director of Salzburg Mountain Rescue, stated, “Due to the heavy and heavy snowfall of the past few days and hours, there is currently an increased risk of avalanches.” The Salzburg Avalanche Warning Service reports 150 cm (59 inches) of fresh snow until Saturday noon in the high altitudes of the Northern Alps, and in some areas in the Hohe Tauern, it is widespread above 1,500 meters (4,932 feet) around 50-100 cm (20-40 inches) of snow. “The fresh snow is partly heavily wind-blown,” says Laireiter. He goes on to explain that the fresh snow has not settled nor has bonded with the ground and that snow slides and avalanches are to be expected over the next few days.

Austria is experiencing a rare summer snowstorm that has blanketed the northeastern Alps with winter conditions. It’s not so much that it’s rare for it to snow this time of year in the Alps but the high quantity of snow is unusual. The storm is expected to ease and temperatures are predicted to increase over the next few days.

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