Ueli Kestenholz, an Olympic bronze medalist and decorated Swiss snowboarder, has died in his native country after being trapped by an avalanche. Valais police say the 50-year-old father of two was snowboarding with a skier friend along a remote slope in the Lötschental valley when an avalanche was triggered. A hazard map of the area classifies much of the Lötschental valley as a high risk for avalanches. Ueli Kestenholz, an Olympic bronze medalist and decorated Swiss snowboarder, has died in his native country after being trapped by an avalanche. In total, Kestenholz won 14 World Cup titles over his decorated career.

Source: Daily Mail January 14, 2026 21:12 UTC