When skiing trips go wrong, split-second decisions can make the difference between life and death.
On January 10, Matteo Zilla, a 37-year-old creative director, experienced exactly that while skiing in Engelberg, Switzerland.
Amid the fresh powder, he noticed something alarming: an arm sticking out of the snow, hinting at a fellow skier trapped beneath an avalanche.
Spotting Danger in the Distance
Matteo’s instincts kicked in immediately.
Seeing the man partially buried, he didn’t hesitate.
Drawing on his avalanche training, he rushed toward the skier, shouting reassurance as he pushed through the deep snow.
“I’m coming, all good!” he called out, navigating through the powder to reach the trapped skier.
A Heroic Rescue
Once he arrived, Matteo cleared the snow from the man’s face to ensure he could breathe, then carefully continued to dig him out.
Thankfully, the skier was unharmed and fully freed within minutes.
Matteo later shared the footage online, earning widespread praise for his calm and courageous actions.
Reflecting on the incident, Matteo explained: “We were skiing on a powder day with 40 to 50 centimetres of fresh snow.
I initially thought a skier I saw walking without skis had lost them, but then I saw a foot sticking out of the snow.
I immediately dug him out, made sure he was breathing, and then slowly freed him.
He had hit some small bushes and flipped over into the snow.
Emotions didn’t matter at that moment—the only thing that mattered was saving his life.”
A Deadly Weekend Across Europe
While Matteo’s story ended well, Europe faced a tragic weekend for skiers.
Avalanches claimed at least 17 lives in the past month, with extreme risk warnings issued by regional authorities.
Just this past weekend, eight people died, many while skiing off-piste in the Alps.
In France, a British man in his 50s was buried under eight feet of snow at La Plagne resort.
Despite a massive rescue effort involving over 50 responders, including medics, ski instructors, and a piste dog, he could not be revived.
Sunday also saw two more off-piste fatalities in the French Alps: a 32-year-old ski patroller in Vallorcine was thrown into a tree by an avalanche, and another skier was found buried in Courchevel.
In Val-d’Isère and Arêches-Beaufort in Savoie, three skiers died under massive snowfalls, while Austria saw a female skier succumb to injuries after being buried on Weerberg mountain in Tyrol.
Italy also reported a fatal avalanche above Aosta, sweeping a skier below Pointe de la Pierre along a popular ski touring route.
Authorities Warn of Off-Piste Risks
The deadly weekend unfolded amid repeated Level 4 and 5 avalanche danger warnings.
Officials stressed “extreme vigilance” and discouraged off-piste skiing, yet many skiers ignored these advisories.
Rescue teams expressed frustration at people venturing into dangerous terrain without beacons, shovels, or knowledge of avalanche risks.
While patrolled ski areas are generally safe, experts emphasize the dangers of unpatrolled slopes.
Skiers are advised to travel with experienced companions, carry avalanche safety gear, and always check official bulletins before venturing into the mountains.
Frédéric Bonnevie, president of the Association of Slope Safety (ADSP), criticized widespread non-compliance with safety instructions on social media.
Lessons From Tragedy
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of snow and the importance of preparation.
Matteo’s quick action saved a life in Engelberg, highlighting the difference training and awareness can make.
Meanwhile, across Europe, avalanches continue to take lives, underscoring that the mountains demand respect, caution, and vigilance from all who enter them.
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