Olympic Snowboard Medallist Ueli Kestenholz Dies After Swiss Avalanche

Ueli Kestenholz, the Swiss snowboarder who made history by winning a bronze medal at snowboarding’s Olympic debut, has died at the age of 50 after being caught in an avalanche in Switzerland, the Swiss Ski Federation confirmed on Tuesday. The former Olympian and extreme sports athlete was widely regarded as a pioneer of competitive snowboarding.

Avalanche Incident in Valais Canton

The fatal incident occurred on Sunday in the Lötschental valley of Valais canton, where Kestenholz was snowboarding alongside a friend who was skiing. According to Valais police, the avalanche began at an altitude of 2,400 metres (7,900 feet) for reasons that remain under investigation.

Ueli Kestenholz was trapped beneath the snow and was assisted by his companion before being airlifted by helicopter to hospital. He was initially taken to Visp before being transferred to a medical facility in Sion, near Crans-Montana. Despite emergency treatment, he later succumbed to his injuries.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Ueli’s family and loved ones,” Swiss-Ski president Peter Barandun said in a statement, adding that the snowboard community was devastated by the loss.

A Historic Olympic Career

Born in 1975, Kestenholz rose to prominence during a transformative era for snowboarding. He secured bronze in the snowboard giant slalom at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, marking the sport’s first appearance on the Olympic program.

That event became one of the most talked-about moments of the Games after Canadian gold medallist Ross Rebagliati temporarily lost his medal following a positive cannabis test before it was reinstated. Amid the controversy, Kestenholz’s podium finish cemented his place in Olympic history.

He went on to compete at two additional Winter Olympics, further establishing Switzerland as a force in international snowboarding.

X-Games Champion and Extreme Sports Icon

Beyond the Olympics, Kestenholz enjoyed a successful career in elite competition. He was a two-time snowboardcross champion at the X-Games and secured multiple World Cup podium finishes before officially retiring from professional competition in 2006.

Even after retirement, he remained deeply involved in extreme sports, embracing pursuits such as paragliding and high-alpine exploration. Recent posts on his Instagram account showed him landing on frozen lakes near St Moritz, reflecting his lifelong passion for adventure.

“To enjoy those rare moments when nature’s wonders align, you need to be ready to drop everything and go,” he wrote in one post.

Tributes From the Snowboarding World

The Swiss Ski Federation described Kestenholz’s death as a profound loss, noting that he is survived by two children. Tributes have poured in from across the global snowboarding community, honoring a figure who helped shape the sport at its highest level.

Ueli Kestenholz leaves behind a legacy defined by innovation, fearlessness, and a pioneering spirit that helped bring snowboarding to the world stage.