Avalanche in Northern Italy Kills Two Skiers, Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Two skiers have died and five others were injured after an avalanche struck a high alpine slope in South Tyrol, northern Italy, on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The incident occurred near the town of Ratschings, close to the Austrian border, and involved a total of 25 skiers.

Details of the Avalanche

The avalanche took place at an altitude of approximately 7,874 feet (2,400 meters) on the slopes of Hohe Ferse (also known as Monte Tallone Grande), which reaches a height of 8,757 feet (2,669 meters). Rescuers reported the avalanche had a front of 150 meters and extended for several hundred meters.

Rescue Operation

A large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately following the avalanche. Around 80 rescuers from the CNSAS (National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps), the Alpine Association, police, and firefighters, along with six helicopters and sniffer dogs, were deployed to the scene. ANSA reported that most of the skiers caught in the avalanche were “only grazed and not swallowed up by the mass of snow.”

Casualties and Injuries

The CNSAS rescue service confirmed two fatalities. Three skiers sustained serious injuries, and two suffered minor injuries. The status of the remaining 18 skiers initially caught in the avalanche was not immediately specified, but reports indicated they were largely unharmed.

Increased Avalanche Risk This Season

This season has seen an unusually high number of avalanche-related deaths across Europe. According to the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), as of March 16, 2026, 127 people have died in avalanches this season (starting October 1), compared to an average of 100 fatalities per season. Italy has recorded 33 deaths, France 31, and Austria 29. CBS News highlighted that in early February, a record 13 skiers died on Italian slopes within a single week, including 10 avalanche victims.

Contributing Factors

Experts attribute the increased risk to an exceptionally unstable snowpack and a surge in skiers venturing onto off-piste slopes after recent heavy snowstorms. Climate experts suggest that rising temperatures and stronger winds, linked to climate change, are contributing to the snow instability.

Avalanche Danger Level

The avalanche danger in the Ridanna Valley, where the incident occurred, is currently rated as moderate.