Mountain accidents The highest number of fatal ski touring accidents in five years
The number of fatal ski touring accidents reached its highest level in the past five years last winter season with 28 victims. The number of emergencies in the Swiss Alps also rose slightly according to the mountain emergency statistics of the Swiss Alpine Club.
27.03.2025, 09:31
SDA
The winter of 2023/24 was characterized by an above-average amount of snow at higher altitudes, while lower regions remained snow-poor due to the warm weather. The better snow conditions than in the previous year led to increased activity in snow sports, which was reflected in the emergency figures, as the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) reported on Thursday. Ski tourers and off-piste skiers were particularly affected.
A total of 3,570 people found themselves in an emergency situation in the Swiss mountains last year, the SAC reported. Although the number was slightly higher than the previous year, it was also slightly lower than the figures for 2021 and 2022.
In mountain sports in the narrower sense, a total of 111 people lost their lives in 93 accidents, according to the report. The proportion of foreign casualties fell compared to the previous year, but was still high at almost 50 percent.
Last summer, 36 people also lost their lives while hiking in the mountains. According to the SAC, this was the lowest number in ten years. However, mountain hikers and climbers had to be rescued more frequently due to blockages or exhaustion.
