Snowboarder Marko ‘Grilo’ Grilc Killed After Tragic Accident in Austria

Slovenian snowboarder Marko ‘Grilo’ Grilc died on Tuesday in a tragic accident while in the Austrian ski resort of Sölden. He was 38.

According to a police press release, Grilc “suffered fatal head injuries” after a snowboarding accident that occurred at the resort just before 3 pm. He was part of a team getting ready to film in the area later in the week. As they were exploring the location he fell and hit his head “against a snow covered-rock.” He was not wearing a helmet. Efforts were unsuccessfully made to resuscitate him and he died at the scene.

“We are saddened to hear the news of Marko Grilc’s passing. He was a beloved member of the GoPro family and inspired us not only as a professional athlete, but as a father and an amazing human. He was a legend and will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

– GoPro

Grilc was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and made his professional debut at the FIS Junior World Championships in Finland in 2002. He competed in the pro-snowboarding circuit — winning the Innsbruck Air and Style in 2009, and a FIS World Cup Big Air event in London in 2010 — for 11 years. After his final competitive appearance in 2013, he dedicated his career to filming snowboarding videos, many of which aimed to promote the sport among youth.

“Grilo was a career snowboarder in a league of his own. Through his World Titles, unforgettable video parts, and deep love of the sport, he made outstanding contributions to the snowboarding world that are still recognized today. Guiding his children, the next generation of riders, into the world of snowboarding was his most recent passion. We lost one of the very best.”

– Burton CEO John Lacy

Grilc is survived by his fiancée and two children.