Avalanche
Swiss authorities have confirmed that professional snowboarder Eliot Dänzer was one of two people killed in an avalanche on the Eiger on Saturday, May 17. The deadly slide, which struck at approximately 1:45 p.m., buried seven people who were part of two ski touring groups, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving helicopters, avalanche dogs, and mountain rescue teams.
Dänzer, 23, was a rising star in the freeride community, having recently finished third overall in the Freeride World Tour Challenger series and celebrated a win at the Nendaz Freeride earlier this season. Tributes from across the snow sports world have poured in for Dänzer, remembered as a humble, passionate rider who embodied the spirit of commitment, friendship, and respect for the mountains.
“Eliot was more than just an athlete — he was a true inspiration, a passionate rider, and above all, a kind and generous soul with a bright future ahead of him. He embodied everything we stand for: love for the mountains, respect for nature, freedom through riding, and the joy of sharing these values with others.”
The avalanche, triggered above the Grindelwald-Wengen ski region, claimed the lives of Dänzer and another Swiss national, aged 21. Five others—four men and one woman—were rescued and flown to local hospitals with injuries. An eighth person, present in the area but not swept away, was airlifted out later due to deteriorating weather conditions.
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The Eiger, standing at 3,967 meters (13,015 feet), is renowned for its challenging terrain and attracts mountaineers and skiers from around the globe. The higher elevations saw almost six inches (14 centimetres) of snow on May 13, on top of the feet of snow that fell in mid-April. The regular daily avalanche bulletins for Switzerland ceased publication after Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Formal identification was completed over the weekend, and investigations into the incident are ongoing under the direction of the Bernese Oberland Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Nendaz Freeride has set up a White Book for people to share their photos, memories, and testimonials, which will be shared with Dänzer’s family. To contribute, follow this link.
The ski resorts on the Eiger are part of the Jungfrau Ski Region in Switzerland, offering over 125 miles (200 kilometres) of pistes beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The main ski area at the foot of the Eiger is Grindelwald-Wengen, which features 64 miles (103 kilometres) of slopes, including the famous Lauberhorn World Cup downhill run.
