Five killed in off-piste slab avalanches in Austria
Five people were killed in separate off-piste slab avalanches across Austria on February 20, 2026, including three in St. Anton am Arlberg, one in Nauders-Bergkastell, and one in Vorarlberg.
Tyrol, Austria satellite image acquired on February 16, 2026. Credit: CopernicusEU/Sentinel-2, The Watchers
The deadliest incident occurred at approximately 15:00 LT in the Gampberg sector of the St. Anton ski area in the state of Tyrol at an elevation of about 2 000 m (6 562 feet). Five freeriders were descending a steep north-facing slope known as the “Gertrud-Gabl-Rinne” after leaving secured terrain when a slab avalanche released.
The avalanche fractured across a width of approximately 450 m (1 476 feet) and traveled about 1 km (0.62 miles) downslope through partially rocky terrain, sweeping away all five skiers. It moved through gullies and open areas before depositing debris several meters deep in the runout zone.
Two skiers, a U.S. citizen and a Polish national, were recovered deceased at the scene. A 21-year-old Austrian was resuscitated and transported to Innsbruck Clinic but died shortly afterward. A 23-year-old Dutch national sustained serious injuries and was flown by rescue helicopter to Zams Hospital, while a 19-year-old Irishman was caught but not buried and sustained minor injuries.
The rescue operation involved approximately 60 mountain rescue personnel from St. Anton am Arlberg, Pettneu am Arlberg, Flirsch, and Landeck, along with three mountain rescue dog handlers. The local fire brigade deployed 30 personnel, and emergency medical services responded with 20 personnel and one emergency physician. Three rescue helicopters, a police helicopter, Alpine Police officers, and several patrols were also involved.
Earlier the same day, at 11:15 LT, another fatal slab avalanche occurred in the Nauders-Bergkastell ski area in Tyrol after a 42-year-old German man and his 16-year-old son left secured terrain and began traversing a north-facing slope. The avalanche, approximately 400 m (1 312 feet) wide, swept both about 200–300 m (656–984 feet) downhill.
The 42-year-old was partially buried and pronounced deceased despite resuscitation efforts. The 16-year-old was not buried, remained on the snow surface, and was able to place an emergency call before being flown by rescue helicopter to Zams Hospital for treatment.
In a separate incident in Vorarlberg, a 39-year-old Swiss snowboarder was killed in an off-piste avalanche after leaving secured terrain. Details on fracture width and runout distance were not immediately released.
Authorities warned that recent snowfall and wind loading had created unstable slab conditions in high alpine terrain, particularly on north-facing slopes.
References:
1 Avalanche accident in St. Anton am Arlberg – LPD Tirol – February 21, 2026
2 Fatal avalanche accident in Nauders – LPD Tirol – February 20, 2026
3 At least 5 killed in a string of avalanches in western Austria – AP – February 21, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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