Industry News
A tragic early-morning accident on Thursday, March 19, in Zermatt, Switzerland, has claimed the life of a snowboarder following a collision with a snowmobile on an unopened piste, the cantonal police of Wallis/Valais confirmed.
According to a press release from the cantonal police, the incident occurred on Thursday morning at approximately 8:45 a.m. on piste No. 11 (Rotweng), descending from the Rothorn sector. The slope had not yet been opened to the public at the time of the accident.
The 45-year-old Swiss man was descending on his snowboard when, for reasons that remain unclear, he collided with a snowmobile traveling uphill. The vehicle was being used as part of routine slope safety and preparation work.
Emergency responders, including an Air Zermatt helicopter crew, were quickly dispatched to the scene. After receiving initial medical treatment on-site, the snowboarder was airlifted to a hospital in Sion. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries two days later, on March 21.
The operator of the snowmobile was not injured in the incident.
The police have confirmed that the public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collision. At the time of the accident, it was sunny in Zermatt, and visibility should not have been an issue — the resort shared an image of blue skies over the Matterhorn that same morning.
Zermatt is on the Swiss side of the cross-border ski area Matterhorn Ski Paradise. The ski area Matterhorn Ski Paradise connects Zermatt with Cervinia on the Italian side. Combined, the ski area offers 225 miles (360km) of groomed runs and, thanks to its glacier, offers skiing and boarding 365 days of the year. The slope in question — the Rotweng slope or piste 11 — is a red run that leads from the top of Rothorn at 3,103 meters (10,180 feet) to Blauherd at 2,571 meters (8,435 feet).
A seriously tragic accident. I work as a pisteur secouriste in France (ski patrol).
It is difficult to comment on an incident when all facts are not known, however if a slope is shut or is in the process of being opened no-one, apart from ski patrol should be present. Snowmobiles are used widely in some resorts for the opening of slopes and sectors. If a collision does occur with such a machine, the outcome is very serious and can ensue multiple trauma.
I reinforce, slopes are shut wholly to ensure the public’s safety, please do not ignore such signage, and ultimately if you do, insurance companies are not liable to cover the costs of the outcome because the slope or area is not deemed open and safe by the specialists.
Thoughts with the loved ones who have experienced this loss.