A Party Of Three Cross Country Skiers Were Caught And Buried In An Avalanche In Swiss Alps
Valais, Switzerland – At approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, January 9, 2016, three cross country skiers were caught and buried in an avalanche in the Swiss canton of Valais. Two Italian skiers died in the avalanche. The third skier survived.
The avalanche occurred on a NW aspect at 2560 meters near Maederluecke Pass in the Swiss Alps. It is reported to be 300-meters wide by TheLocal.ch. The Institute For Snow And Avalanche Research SLF says that all three victims were caught and buried.
According to TheLocal.ch, three dog teams and two helicopters responded to the avalanche incident. By the time they arrived, another group of skiers had already found and dug out the three buried skiers, but only one survived.
On Friday, the Valais area had a “high risk of avalanches.” The danger level was at three on a scale of five for cross country and off-piste skiers.”
Our deepest condolences go out their families and friends. RIP.
We will do our best to update this post as more information becomes available.
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