Eight skiers killed in avalanches across Austria

VIENNA (Journos News) – Austria’s winter sports community was shaken on Saturday after three separate avalanches killed eight skiers in different parts of the country, authorities said, underscoring the dangers facing backcountry and off-piste enthusiasts during periods of elevated snow instability.

The fatalities occurred within a span of several hours in western and central Austria, despite what mountain rescue officials described as clear and repeated warnings about avalanche risk. Emergency services were deployed to multiple alpine locations as conditions deteriorated during the day.

Rescue officials said the incidents highlight how rapidly conditions can turn deadly in the high Alps, even for experienced skiers, when weather patterns combine with unstable snowpack.

Deadly avalanches in Salzburg region

The first fatal incident was reported around midday in the Bad Hofgastein area, a popular alpine region in western Austria. According to the Pongau mountain rescue service, a female skier was buried by an avalanche at an altitude of about 2,200 meters (7,200 feet). Despite rescue efforts, she died at the scene.

About 90 minutes later, a larger avalanche struck in the nearby Gastein Valley, south of the city of Salzburg. Seven people were caught when a mass of snow swept down a slope, authorities said.

Four of those caught in the slide were killed. Two others sustained serious injuries and were transported for medical treatment, while one person escaped unharmed. Mountain rescue teams and emergency responders worked under difficult conditions to reach the site and evacuate survivors.

Gerhard Kremser, the district head of the Pongau mountain rescue service, said the sequence of events reflected the severity of the situation in the mountains.

“This tragedy painfully demonstrates how serious the current avalanche situation is,” Kremser said, pointing to what he described as clear and repeated warnings about the risk level.

Central Austria incident claims Czech skiers

A third avalanche struck later in the afternoon in central Austria, in the town of Pusterwald. Police said three Czech skiers were killed shortly before 4:30 p.m. when they were caught in a slide.

Four companions who were part of the same group were evacuated to safety. Authorities did not immediately release further details about the terrain or whether the group was skiing off marked trails.

The victims’ nationalities were confirmed by police, and Czech authorities were expected to be notified through diplomatic channels.

Warnings in place as conditions deteriorate

Avalanche risk in Austria is monitored by regional warning services that assess snow stability based on recent snowfall, temperature changes, wind, and underlying snow layers. During winter periods with heavy snow accumulation or sudden warming, risk levels can rise quickly.

Rescue officials said conditions on Saturday matched patterns typically associated with increased danger, particularly at higher elevations and on steep slopes. While no new nationwide restrictions were announced following the incidents, authorities renewed calls for caution.

Mountain rescue services routinely advise skiers and snowboarders to consult local avalanche bulletins before heading into alpine terrain and to carry appropriate safety equipment when traveling outside secured pistes.

Although Austria has an extensive network of groomed ski runs and marked trails, many avalanches occur beyond controlled areas, where snow conditions are not actively stabilized. Even within ski regions, wind-driven snow can accumulate in hazardous ways in a matter of hours.

A recurring winter risk in the Alps

Avalanches are a known hazard across the Alpine region each winter, affecting Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, and neighboring countries. Austria’s mountainous geography and popularity as a ski destination mean that incidents, sometimes fatal, are reported every season.

Experts consistently stress that experience alone does not eliminate risk. Changing weather, limited visibility, and hidden weak layers in the snowpack can catch even seasoned skiers off guard.

Rescue officials said Saturday’s deaths serve as a stark reminder of the limits of human judgment in the face of natural conditions. While investigations into the individual incidents are expected to continue, authorities emphasized that prevention remains the most effective protection.

For now, mountain rescue services across Austria remain on alert as winter conditions persist, urging those heading into alpine areas to reassess plans and respect official warnings.