What started as a peaceful day in the Swiss Alps ended in sudden tragedy, underscoring how quickly the mountains can turn unforgiving—even for the most experienced athletes.
Ueli Kestenholz, a renowned Swiss snowboarder and Olympic bronze medalist, has died at the age of 50 after being caught in an avalanche while riding in southern Switzerland. His death has sent shockwaves through the winter sports community and beyond.
The Swiss Ski Federation confirmed Kestenholz’s passing in a statement released Tuesday, January 13. According to officials, the former Olympian was snowboarding on Sunday in the Lötschental valley when an avalanche struck without warning.
Authorities from the Valais Cantonal Police reported that the incident occurred shortly after midday on the eastern slope of the valley. Kestenholz was riding alongside a companion who was skiing at the time. While the skier narrowly avoided the avalanche and escaped unharmed, Kestenholz was swept up and buried beneath the snow.
Rescue efforts began immediately. Kestenholz was located and recovered by his companion along with the Valais Cantonal Rescue Organization (OCVS). Three Air Zermatt helicopters were deployed to assist in the operation. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Kestenholz later died from the severe injuries he sustained.
Born in 1975, Kestenholz was widely regarded as one of Switzerland’s most influential figures in snowboarding. He first discovered the sport at just 14 years old and rapidly rose through the ranks, becoming a standout athlete during snowboarding’s early years on the international stage.
His breakthrough came at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, where he captured a bronze medal—an achievement that helped cement snowboarding’s place in Olympic competition. In a testament to his extraordinary longevity and dedication, Kestenholz returned to the Olympic stage more than two decades later, representing Switzerland again at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
Following his retirement from professional competition in 2006, Kestenholz never stepped away from adventure. Instead, he expanded his pursuits across a wide range of extreme and outdoor sports, including freeriding, speed riding, paragliding, kitesurfing, skydiving, surfing, wing foiling, and mountain biking. His life remained deeply intertwined with nature and movement.
The Swiss Ski Federation remembered him not only as an elite athlete, but as a pioneer who helped shape modern snowboarding. He was also part of the sport’s Olympic evolution, having competed during snowboard cross’s debut era in the Winter Games.
Friends, colleagues, and fans alike have described Kestenholz as someone who respected the mountains as much as he challenged them—an athlete whose skill was matched by his humility and passion for the outdoors.
Conclusion
Ueli Kestenholz lived a life defined by courage, curiosity, and an enduring bond with the mountains he loved. From standing on Olympic podiums to carving through untouched alpine terrain, he embraced adventure with unwavering intensity. His passing is a powerful reminder of both the beauty and the danger of the natural world—and of a pioneer whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of athletes to chase freedom, challenge limits, and respect the mountains that give so much and demand so much in return.