Industry News
A 42-year-old skier from Austria died on Sunday, November 23, after a tragic accident outside the groomed runs at Planai, Austria. The incident occurred shortly after 12:15 p.m., when other skiers discovered the man unresponsive below a gondola lift line and immediately alerted rescue services.
Planai’s ski patrol and the local Steiermark mountain rescue team were first on scene and began providing first aid. An emergency doctor was then lowered to the site by winch from the emergency helicopter C14, but despite rapid response efforts, the skier could only be pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Alpine Police, who have taken over the investigation, early findings indicate the man may have caught the tip of one ski on a root protruding from the snow, causing a violent fall. It is believed he snapped his neck in the subsequent fall, dying instantly. Steiermark Police stated there is no evidence of external involvement or foul play.
Planai is part of the Schladming-Dachstein ski area, which spans four mountains, including the Dachstein Glacier. Planai opened its ski season this weekend, on November 22. The ski area near the town of connects Planai, Hochwurzen, Hauser Kaibling, and Reiteralm, and is located about 90 minutes southeast of Salzburg. Planai is a well-known resort that has hosted numerous FIS World Cup and World Championship races. The interconnected ski area offers 123 kilometers (76 miles) of groomed runs, and Planai features a 4.6-kilometer (2.9-mile) FIS-graded downhill run. Schladming-Dachstein is part of the Ski Amadé Pass, which offers around 760 kilometers (472 miles) of slopes, serviced by 270 lifts in total across five regions: Salzburg, Schladming-Dachstein, Hochkönig, Gastein, and Grossartal.
