Avalanche
A backcountry skier who was traveling in a group of four on a backcountry tour to Piz Platta in the Swiss canton of Graubünden was killed when an avalanche swept the 61-year-old man over a cliff, causing him to fall 820 feet (250 meters) to his death. The accident occurred on Monday, April 29, shortly before 12:30 p.m.
The group was on its ascent to Piz Platta which reaches 11,129 feet (3,392 meters) at peak elevation. The backcountry tour to the peak is considered to be difficult but also incredibly beautiful. The peak, which is said to resemble the Matterhorn in shape, is reached through a steep couloir which is 45° steep in parts. The 61-year-old Swiss man was in front of the other three skiers when the avalanche struck at an altitude of approximately 10,663 feet (3,250 meters).
According to the police report, a small snowdrift broke from the top of the couloir and swept the man away. He was swept over a cliff face and plunged approximately 820 feet to his death. A member of the group set off a distress call immediately but all help for the man came too late. The search and rescue team from the Rega could only confirm the man’s death. The Alpine Police of the Cantonal Police of Graubünden has started an official investigation into the accident.
This marks the 18th avalanche related death in Switzerland of the 23/24 hydrological year which runs until September 2024. During the 23/24 ski season, a total of 173 avalanche accidents were recorded in Switzerland involving a total of 250 people. This puts the annual avalanche deaths in Switzerland below the 20-year moving average of 21 deaths.
Piz Platta is located near the ski area Savognin in Surses, which is a small village along the Julier Pass, a mountain pass that leads from St. Moritz to Lenzerheide.
