Avalanche
[updated March 10, 2024]
A skier was buried by an avalanche in the Kreuzboden-Hohsaas area of Saas-Grund, which is part of the Saas-Fee ski area, Switzerland, on Saturday, March 2. According to the press release by the Valais Cantonal Police, an avalanche broke around 11:40 a.m. and slid onto the slope above the mountain restaurant in Hohsaas. The avalanche caught a skier traveling on the 1a “Gletscher Hohkraut” run and buried him under a meter of snow. Despite immediate resuscitation by search and rescue, the skier died at the scene.
The Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) issued a warning for the cantons Ticino and Valais, where avalanche danger is at Level 4 out of 5 in many resorts. Heavy snowfalls are expected for Sunday afternoon and evening, elevating risks further. Many ski resorts in the area, including Airolo and Saas-Fee, were closed on Sunday, March 3, due to the elevated avalanche risk.
“Today 03.03.24 all facilities remain closed due to avalanche danger and storm. All winter hiking trails and snowshoe trails are also closed due to avalanche danger.”
— Saas-Fee Website
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation in cooperation with the Cantonal Police of Valais. The man was later identified as a 61-year-old German citizen residing in the canton of Zurich..
Several slides were reported from ski resorts across the European Alps this weekend after some regions in the Southern Alps saw between 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) of snowfalls.
