Avalanche
A tragic avalanche in Austria’s Tux Alps claimed the lives of a 51-year-old father and his 22-year-old son during a backcountry tour on December 26, 2024. The incident is the fourth death over the Christmas period in the European Alps, after a Swiss Olympic snowboarder died on December 23 and a 14-year-old boy died on Christmas Day in Les Arcs, France.
A group of four Austrians, including the father, his two sons, and a friend, embarked on a ski tour from Schwendberg via the Rastkogelhรผtte, a well-known route for backcountry skiers in the area. Equipped with backcountry skis, they ascended the Rosskopf, part of the Rastkogel ski region, an area prized for its challenging slopes and pristine snow conditions.
The descent began around 11:55 a.m. on an eastern slope near the summit. The group navigated a 37ยฐ-steep slope, with the 19-year-old friend leading the way. As the 22-year-old son followed, a massive slab of snow broke loose near a steep section. The avalanche swept both the father and son roughly 300 meters (1,000 feet) down the mountain, completely burying them under meters of snow.
The 19-year-old son narrowly escaped the avalanche, managing what rescuers described as a “straight-line-escape.” The group immediately alerted authorities, triggering a large-scale rescue operation. Three helicopters, 33 mountain rescuers, two alpine police officers, and three avalanche dog teams from two local mountain rescue teams were dispatched to the scene.
Rescue teams faced a race against time, probing the massive avalanche cone for signs of life after search equipment failed to pick up a signal from the victims. By 1:00 p.m., rescuers located the 22-year-old son buried two meters deep. Despite resuscitation efforts, he could not be revived. Shortly after, the father was found under a meter of snow at 1:20 p.m. Attempts to save him were also unsuccessful. Both victims were airlifted to Mayrhofen, where they were officially pronounced dead. The surviving members of the group are receiving support from the crisis intervention team.
The Tux Alps, part of the Zillertal region, are renowned for their vast backcountry terrain and world-class skiing opportunities. The Tux Ski Area itself, which is about 1.5 hours from Innsbruck, is a magnet for adventurers, offering dramatic alpine landscapes, challenging slopes, and reliable snow cover well into spring. The Rastkogel, where the avalanche occurred, is popular with experienced backcountry skiers drawn to its steep pitches and panoramic views. However, the allure of these peaks comes with inherent risks. Avalanches are a persistent danger, especially during periods heavy snowfall as has been seen in the Alps in the lead-up to Christmas. Skiers and snowboarders are urged to check avalanche reports and ensure they are equipped with the proper safety gear, including avalanche transceivers, probes, and shovels.
The avalanche danger in Tyrol, Austria, is currently ranked at Level 3 of 5. The European avalanche portal Lawinen Report warns that avalanches in the region can be triggered in older snow and drift accumulations, particularly above 2,200 meters (7,200 feet), where danger points are frequent and hard to recognize. Caution is advised on steep grassy slopes and sunny exposures, as gliding snow and loose snow avalanches can easily occur. A non-fatal powder snow avalanche swept away ten skiers and buried three near Innsbruck on Christmas Day, highlighting the current precarious situation in Tyrol.
