Over the span of the last week, Italian Alpine rescue teams have reported an unprecedented total of 13 fatalities involving backcountry adventure enthusiasts, including skiers, climbers, and hikers. Ten of these deaths occurred in avalanches linked to an unusually fragile snow structure caused by recent meteorological events.
Heavy snowfall from recent storms combined with wind-driven snow accumulation has formed unstable layers within the snowpack spanning the extensive Alpine arc along the borders with France, Switzerland, and Austria. Federico Catania, spokesperson for Italy's Alpine Rescue Corps, explained that even the passage of an individual skier or the added weight of snow can be sufficient to set off avalanches under these precarious conditions.
The avalanche incidents took place exclusively on ungroomed terrain, distant from the well-maintained, monitored areas hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics in Lombardy near the Swiss frontier and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto, alongside cross-country skiing locations in Val di Fiemme, Trentino. Catania clarified that those engaged in skiing within managed resorts face no comparable risk, notably affirming the safety of Olympic venues where ongoing events are held.
The surge in backcountry accidents follows a series of snowfall events, prompting outdoor enthusiasts to take advantage of brief weather improvements to venture into the mountains. This increased activity has corresponded with a proportional rise in accidents and fatalities, officials noted.
Rescuers strongly advise those planning backcountry excursions to carefully observe avalanche bulletins and to postpone outings until snow conditions stabilize. The recent weekend was particularly fatal, with two avalanche deaths reported in Lombardy, three in Trentino, and one in the South Tyrol area. Notably, two separate mortal avalanches occurred in the vicinity of the Marmolada glacier. Additionally, two hikers lost their lives on Monte Grappa in Veneto and in the Marche region within the Apennine range, as well as an ice climber in Valle d’Aosta.
Alongside these tragic developments, the Alpine Rescue Corps conducted a helicopter emergency extraction of U.S. downhill alpine skier Lindsey Vonn after a crash during competition in Cortina d’Ampezzo, underscoring the readiness and responsiveness of the rescue teams in the area.