Ueli Kestenholz, an Olympic bronze medalist and decorated Swiss snowboarder, has died in his native country after being trapped by an avalanche.
Valais police say the 50-year-old father of two was snowboarding with a skier friend along a remote slope in the Lötschental valley when an avalanche was triggered. It’s unclear what caused the catastrophe.
Emergency personnel conducted a search-and-rescue mission to find Kestenholz, who was ultimately pronounced dead at Sion Hospital.
Kestenholz’s companion managed to get away from danger and is unharmed, according to reports.
A hazard map of the area classifies much of the Lötschental valley as a high risk for avalanches.
Ueli Kestenholz, an Olympic bronze medalist and decorated Swiss snowboarder, has died in his native country after being trapped by an avalanche. He was 50-years-old
A hazard map of the area classifies the Lötschental valley as a high risk for avalanches
Ueli Kestenholz is seen competing in the men’s duel slalom in Italy. No year is provided
The son of a gym teacher, Kestenholz grew up with two brothers on a Swiss lake before taking up the sport in 1989. He later won bronze in the giant slalom in Nagano before taking gold in the snowboard cross at both the 2003 and 2004 X Games.
In total, Kestenholz won 14 World Cup titles over his decorated career.
His other interests included paragliding and another extreme sport, speed riding, which involves both a parachute and a snowboard.
‘I skateboarded, I was a windsurfer, but I only skied in the winter, and on two planks,’ Kestenholz told Tamedia in 2024. ‘Snowboarding offered the opportunity to experience my favorite feeling, gliding sideways, even in winter.
‘In the fall, we trained on the glacier at the same time as the skiers,’ he continued. ‘They had to be back at the hotel by 9pm, and lights out was at 10pm. We set off at that time—and were back by 4am.’
Swiss-Ski President Peter Barandun reacted to the news in a statement, saying: ‘We extend our deepest condolences to Ueli’s family and loved ones.’
