Snowboarding Icon Ueli Kestenholz Lost to Avalanche

Snowboarding has lost one of its most daring and influential pioneers. Ueli Kestenholz, the Swiss visionary who claimed a medal at snowboarding’s Olympic debut, has passed away at the age of 50. The news of Ueli Kestenholz's death following a tragic avalanche in the Swiss Alps has shocked the snowboarding community.

The accident occurred on Sunday, January 11, 2026, in the Lötschental valley within the Valais canton. Kestenholz was snowboarding in the backcountry with a friend, who was on skis, on the eastern flank of the Hockuchriz peak. The slide was triggered at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters.

While his companion was able to escape the moving snow, Kestenholz was caught and buried. The tragic news of Ueli Kestenholz's death followed despite his friend being able to locate and free him before the Valais Cantonal Rescue Organization (OCVS) arrived with three Air Zermatt helicopters. Despite rapid rescue efforts and being airlifted to hospitals in Visp and later Sion, Kestenholz tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Ueli Kestenholz didn't just participate in snowboarding history; he authored its opening chapters. In 1998, when snowboarding made its high-stakes debut at the Nagano Winter Olympics, Kestenholz secured a bronze medal in the Giant Slalom. Reflecting on Ueli Kestenholz's death reminds us of his lasting impact on the sport as it was a podium finish that solidified his place as one of the sport's first global stars. This era was defined by rebellion and rapid evolution.

While the Olympics gave him a platform, the X Games allowed his aggressive, "crossover" style to truly shine. Kestenholz was a force in Snowboardcross, claiming back-to-back gold medals in 2003 and 2004. Throughout his competitive career, which spanned three Olympic appearances, he notched 14 World Cup victories. This proved he could handle the pressure of the clock just as well as the steepness of the face.

For Kestenholz, the end of a competitive career in 2006 wasn't a retirement—it was an expansion. He transitioned into freeriding and became a global pioneer in speedriding, a high-stakes fusion of skiing and paragliding. Alongside partner Mathias Roten, he founded the "Playgravity" project. They famously speedrode the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau all in a single day.

Ueli was a multi-sport athlete who refused to be pinned down by a single discipline. The news of Ueli Kestenholz's death in an avalanche only days after sharing his love for adventure highlights the unpredictable nature of extreme sports. He excelled in kitesurfing, mountain biking, and wingfoiling. Only days before the accident, he shared on social media: "To enjoy those rare moments when nature's wonders align you need to be ready to drop everything and go!".

The snowboard community is devastated by the loss of a rider who never stopped looking for the next line. Our thoughts are with his family and the countless lives he inspired across the mountains.