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Five Skiers Killed in Austria's Deadly Avalanches

1/18/2026

31 3 Full Breakdown

Center

Skiers Fatal Avalanche

Five skiers died in two avalanches in the Salzburg Pongau region of Austria on January 17, 2026.
Four skiers were caught in an off-piste avalanche.
A female skier died earlier in Bad Hofgastein after snow burial.
Gerhard Kremser, head of the local mountain rescue service, stressed the severe avalanche risk and repeated warnings.

Right

Skiers Escape Avalanche

A group of skiers and snowboarders escaped an avalanche they triggered in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, on January 14, 2026, with one skier buried and injured.
The slide occurred in a chute near Lake Haiyaha after the group planned a ski cut and a skier entered untouched snow.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) reported all members emerged safely and urged travelers to stay informed and carry safety gear.

History

Historical Context

The Galtür avalanche on February 23, 1999, killed 31 people in Austria, marking the worst Alpine avalanche in 40 years. Contributing factors included heavy snowfall from three Atlantic weather systems and unstable snowpack conditions. This disaster, alongside a reported 50% increase in avalanche incidents during the 1990s, underscores the ongoing risks of winter sports and the need for enhanced safety measures in avalanche-prone areas.

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Skiers Fatal Avalanche

Five skiers died in two avalanches in the Salzburg Pongau region of Austria on January 17, 2026.
Four skiers were caught in an off-piste avalanche.
A female skier died earlier in Bad Hofgastein after snow burial.
Gerhard Kremser, head of the local mountain rescue service, stressed the severe avalanche risk and repeated warnings.

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