US EditionOlympic Snowboard Medalist Ueli Kestenholz Dies in Swiss Avalanche at Age 50
- On Jan 13, 2026, Ueli Kestenholz, Swiss snowboarder, died after being trapped in an avalanche, the Swiss Ski Federation said; he was 50.
- The avalanche began at 2,400 meters for unknown reasons, Valais police said, as Kestenholz snowboarded with a friend Sunday in the Lötschental valley of Valais canton.
- Helped by his friend, Kestenholz was trapped by snow and airlifted by helicopter to Visp hospital, then to Sion hospital near Crans-Montana.
- A bronze medalist at Nagano on Feb. 8, 1998, Kestenholz later competed at two more Winter Games and won two X-Games snowboardcross titles.
- Berner Zeitung first reported Tuesday that the victim was Kestenholz, whose Nagano giant slalom race long ago drew attention for Ross Rebagliati's fight after a positive cannabis test.
57 Articles
57 Articles
After Laura Dahlmeier, the extreme sport with Ueli Kestenholz loses another Olympic legend. Now his son makes a moving speech.
Snowboarding's first-ever Olympic medallist dies in avalanche as statement issued
Olympic snowboarder Ueli Kestenholz has died aged 50 in an avalanche.The Swiss legend, who made history when he won snowboarding’s first-ever Olympic medal, was killed in the Lotschental valley on Sunday.Kestenholz was airlifted to the hospital after he and a friend were caught in the horror incident.The Swiss Ski Federation released a tribute honouring the pioneer. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say They said: "His life was far too short. Swiss-…
The world of winter sport is shocked and mourned after the death of former Swiss Olympic snowboarder Ueli Kestenholz, who died last Sunday after being buried by an avalanche while practicing his sport in the Swiss Alps, as confirmed this Tuesday by the Swiss Ski Federation. Ueli Kestenholz, 50, was an emblematic figure of world snowboarding, remembered both for his bronze medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics (the first time this discipline was part…
The 50-year-old Swiss extreme sports legend lost his life in the Alps – His career, the medal in Nagano and the fatal accident in Valais.
The Swiss snowboarder, who died at the age of 50 in an avalanche after being buried, was "a true universal athlete" welcomed Swiss Ski, the Swiss snow sports federation.
Swiss Ueli Kestenholz, who won the first Olympic bronze medal in snowboard slalom, has died at the age of 50.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
