Olympic Snowboarding Legend Ueli Kestenholz Dies at 50 Following Avalanche in Swiss Alps

Ueli Kestenholz, a celebrated Swiss snowboarder and Olympic bronze medalist, has died at the age of 50 after being caught in an avalanche while snowboarding in southern Switzerland.

The Swiss Ski Federation confirmed his passing on January 13, following the tragic incident that occurred on Sunday in the Lötschental valley. According to Valais Cantonal Police, Kestenholz was riding with a friend on the eastern slope of the valley when a sudden avalanche struck just after noon.

His companion, who was skiing nearby, managed to escape unharmed. Kestenholz, however, was buried under the snow. He was quickly located and dug out by his friend and rescuers from the Valais Cantonal Rescue Organization (OCVS), aided by three helicopters from Air Zermatt. Despite immediate medical attention and transport to a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

Born in 1975, Kestenholz rose to prominence as one of Switzerland’s pioneering snowboarders. He made history at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, where snowboarding debuted as an official sport, earning a bronze medal that helped cement the discipline’s place on the Olympic stage. In a remarkable display of longevity and passion, he returned to compete again at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games—24 years later—becoming one of the few athletes to span such a wide Olympic timeline in snowboarding.

Though he retired from competitive racing in 2006, Kestenholz never stopped living life on the edge. The Swiss Ski Federation described him as a true all-around adventurer: an avid freerider, speedrider, paraglider pilot, kitesurfer, skydiver, surfer, wing foiler, and mountain biker. To him, the mountains weren’t just a venue—they were home.

He first discovered snowboarding at age 14 and quickly became a national icon, later competing in the inaugural Olympic snowboard cross event at the 2006 Turin Games. Beyond medals and podiums, he was revered for his deep connection to alpine culture, his respect for the mountains, and his unwavering enthusiasm for outdoor sports in all their forms.

Kestenholz’s death has sent shockwaves through the global winter sports community. He is remembered not only as a trailblazer and Olympian but as a passionate soul who lived fully—and fearlessly—among the peaks he loved.