Three backcountry skiers got trapped in a frozen gully on Mount Mondolè near the ski resort Artesina-Mondolè in Italy on Saturday, March 16. The trio was unable to advance or retreat safely and sent out a distress call to the local fire department which sent a helicopter with specialist search and rescue members to the gully at 2,300 meters (7,546 feet).
The two skiers and one snowboarder were winched to safety and the fire department shared the impressive video of the rescue on Twitter (X). In the video, the rescue workers can be seen carefully making their way to the stranded group with pick axes and crampons.
The ski resort Artesina-Mondolè is located in the Cuneo Province in Piedmont and offers 105km of groomed slopes serviced by 25 lifts.
Drago in azione a 2.300 metri di quota sul monte Mondolè, territorio di Artesina. Recuperati dai #vigilidelfuoco con una manovra di discesa e risalita al verricello 3 sci alpinisti bloccati su un canalone ghiacciato #Cuneo #salvataggiquotidiani pic.twitter.com/Bx4zl9Taei
— Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) March 16, 2024
