Olympic Snowboarder, Ueli Kestenholz, Dies At 50
on Jan 13, 2026
Olympic Snowboarder Dies In Avalanche
Olympic Swiss snowboarder Ueli Kestenholz has died at the age of 50.
The Swiss Ski Federation confirmed Tuesday (January 13), that Kestenholz was killed after being trapped in an avalanche while snowboarding in the Lötschental Valley on Sunday. He had been riding with a friend at the time of the accident.
Kestenholz represented Switzerland at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympic Games and won a bronze medal in Nagano, Japan, at just 22 years old. He made history competing in the first Olympics to include snowboarding.
“His life was far too short,” the Swiss Ski Federation said in the release announcing his death.
Who Was Ueli Kestenholz?
The release noted that after retiring from competitive sports in 2006, Kestenholz remained a professional outdoor athlete, partaking in different activities ranging from a freerider, speedrider, paraglider pilot, kitesurfer, skydiver, surfer, wingfoiler, and mountain biker.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Ueli’s family and loved ones,” Swiss-Ski President Peter Barandun said.
The Swiss Ski Federation noted that Kestenholz “was also among the pioneers at the Olympic premiere of snowboard cross in Turin in 2006.”
In a previous interview, Kestenholz said his “favorite feeling” was gliding sideways, which led him to his love for snowboarding.
“I skateboarded, I was a windsurfer, but I only skied in the winter, and on two planks,” Kestenholz said in a previous interview, according to the Swiss Ski Federation. “Snowboarding offered the opportunity to experience my favorite feeling, gliding sideways, even in winter.”
Valais police report the avalanche broke loose at an altitude of 7,900 feet (2,400 meters). Authorities said it remains unclear what triggered the avalanche.
“The skier was able to get himself to safety,” police said in the news release. “As for the snowboarder, he was buried and was freed by his colleague and the Valais Cantonal Rescue Organization (OCVS), with the support of three Air Zermatt helicopters.”
