Industry News
A 20-year-old speedrider died Tuesday, May 13, after falling nearly 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) while descending the north face of the Aiguille du Midi, one of the most iconic peaks in the Mont Blanc Massif in France. The accident occurred late Tuesday morning despite calm weather and fresh snow conditions that had attracted several local thrill-seekers to the high alpine terrain.
According to local authorities, the man, a native of the Chamonix Valley, lost control around 11:30 a.m. while navigating the steep, technical face with a combination of skis and a small paraglider—a sport known as speedriding. He was with five companions who watched helplessly as he “screwed” into the slope, a term used in the sport to describe a loss of aerodynamic control that causes a downward spiral. His fall ended in the rock-strewn base of the face.
The Chamonix High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM), assisted by the Dragon 74 civil security helicopter, responded quickly but could only recover the young man’s body. He was transported to the DZ des Bois, the local base for mountain rescue operations. Authorities have not released the name of the deceased but confirmed he was experienced and familiar with the region. An investigation is ongoing.
Speedriding, which blends freeride skiing and paragliding, allows athletes to descend steep alpine terrain while flying just above the surface of the snow, sometimes alternating between skiing and flying. The sport, though visually stunning and increasingly popular in the Alps, remains inherently dangerous, requiring split-second judgment and mastery of both disciplines.
The Aiguille du Midi, towering at 3,842 meters (12,605 feet), is a prominent launch point for extreme sports enthusiasts due to its accessibility via cable car and proximity to technical descents. But its high elevation, shifting weather conditions, and exposed terrain have long made it one of the most perilous areas in the Mont Blanc range.
