Zürs am Arlberg, Austria – On Monday, January 16, 2017 a 33-year-old Dutch skier from Amsterdam in the Netherlands was caught, buried, and killed in an avalanche near the Trittkopf Gamsmulde (2720 meters) near Lech Zürs am Arlberg in Vorarlberg in Austria.
The avalanche victim was skiing off piste with a companion and a ski guide when the group triggered the avalanche. The avalanche occurred shortly after noon. It was 300 meters long and 80 meters wide and buried the man 1.5 meters deep.
The ski guide alerted authorities and initiated a rescue. Rescuers responded by helicopter and were on scene within minutes. Volunteers from Lech ski rescue and the ski schools also assisted in the rescue efforts. The man was excavated from the snow in approximately 10 minutes. Unfortunately the Dutch skier did not survive.
The avalanche danger at the time of the accident was considerable.
Update 1/18: Lawis.at reports that the accident occurred at 47.1636° N / 10.1885° E at 2400 meters on a West aspect on a 40 degree slope. The slab avalanche was a size 3. It was 400 meters long, 60 meters wide, and 100cm deep. The avalanche danger at the time was rated as considerable. (Lawis.at Report 2017-01-16 12:30)
We will try to update this post when more information is available.
This is the 3rd avalanche fatality in Austria this week. It is the 7th avalanche fatality in Austria this season:
- 20161016 – Hintertux Glacier, Olperer – 1
- 20161126 – Verwall Valley, Obergurgl – 2
- 20161231 – Krahbergzinken, Schladming – 1
- 20170111 – Maroispitze, Stuben – 1
- 20170114 – Sonnenlagant, Brand, Vorarlberg – 1
Read more about the avalanche near Zurs am Arlberg in Austria from the following sources:
All information in this post was found using Google Translate. There may be errors in this information. Please use the sources listed above to verify all facts.
