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2026 Archive Index - All Editions

In This Edition:

Bodycam shows dog and her skier in an avalanche

January 15, 2026 - A bodycam video online shows a skier and her dog narrowly surviving an avalanche in Andorra on January 8. The video begins with the skier moving across a slope while her dog stays close by her side. Within seconds, the calm scene turns dangerous as snow suddenly breaks loose and rushes downhill. As the snow moves rapidly around her, the skier struggles to keep her balance and escape the worst of the slide. Despite the chaos, her dog refuses to leave her side. their lives, said the ISPR.
Source ... (DogTime)
Video (Instagram)

13 Year Old Boy swept into an avalanche barrier, dies

The boy, from the Czech Republic, was skiing off piste in the Austrian resort of Bad Gastein. He was with a friend of similar age when he triggered the snow slide. It was 50m wide and carried the boy 10m into the barrier. Eyewitnesses called the emergency services, and rescue crews were on site within minutes. He was declared dead at the scene despite the efforts of the rescue services to revive him. The incident happened in open terrain above the marked ski runs, where avalanche barriers prevent snow slides from hitting the pistes. Salzburg public prosecutors have opened an investigation into the accident.
Source ... (PlanetSki.eu)

Olympic medallist dies in Switzerland avalanche

Swiss snowboarder and Olympic medallist Ueli Kestenholz has died after being buried in an avalanche on Monday in the Loetschental region of Canton Valais, the Swiss skiing federation Swiss‑Ski said. Kestenholz was 50 years old. Kestenholz won a bronze medal in snowboarding's inaugural Olympic event, the giant slalom at Nagano in 1998. He also secured multiple World Cup podiums, and retired from competition in 2006. A statement from Valais police, which did not identify Kestenholz by name, said the avalanche swept the snowboarder from the eastern flank of the Hockuchriz peak around 2400 metres up the mountainside. A skiing companion he was with managed to escape the avalanche, police said.
Source ... (Nine)

In-bounds avalanches, partial burials at Whistler Blackcomb

Heavy rain and snow mixed with strong winds is wreaking havoc on backcountry conditions near Whistler. The avalanche danger is high in the Sea to Sky as of Jan. 12, with skiers and riders advised to avoid all avalanche terrain. The risk isn't confined to the backcountry. Whistler Blackcomb (WB) has confirmed a pair of in-bounds avalanches occurred Sunday, Jan. 11.

"The first incident occurred on Bushrat—an experts-only area on Blackcomb Mountain. Blackcomb Ski Patrol received a call at approximately 10:11 a.m. and responded immediately. Three guests were involved and unharmed and Patrol was able to clear the site at 10:50 a.m.," a spokesperson said.

"The second incident occurred in Sapphire Bowl—an experts-only area on Blackcomb Mountain. Blackcomb Ski Patrol received a call at approximately 11:41 a.m. and responded immediately. Three guests were involved and one required rescue. There were no injuries and the area was cleared by Patrol at 11:59 a.m."
More ... (Pique)

Avalanche warnings issued for Yr Wyddfa, Wales

[This is a bit dated now as things get caught up. It's of interest because Wales, like all of the UK other than Scotland, rarely has any avalanche news or issues. We don't hear much about avalanches there.]

08 Jan 2026 - An avalanche warning has been issued for Wales’ highest mountain. Areas of unstable snow have been identified on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), prompting concerns of “serious falls” and “localised avalanches”. The alert was issued by Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) ahead of the arrival of Storm Goretti. Upper sections of other popular routes, including the Pyg Track, were also unstable, said the team. In an alert, it cautioned: “Recent observations show areas of unstable snow, with cornices forming in several locations near the top of the mountain. “These overhanging snow features can be difficult to spot, especially in poor visibility, and may collapse without warning. In certain circumstances, this could lead to serious falls or trigger localised avalanches.”

Some experienced mountaineers have been using recent snowfalls to ski across the national park - you can see a clip here. Avalanches are an annual occurrence on the mountains but the dangers are expected to be ramped up by heavy snow dropped by Storm Goretti.
More ... (NorthWalesLive)