Five skiers were found dead on a glacier near the Swiss mountain resort town of Zermatt, authorities confirmed on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The tragic discovery followed a report from two hikers who spotted abandoned skis near the summit of the 4,000-meter Rimpfischhorn mountain in the Valais Alps.
Rescue teams conducted thorough aerial and ground searches on the Adler Glacier, located in southwestern Switzerland close to the Italian border. The bodies of the five skiers were found at different altitudes on avalanche debris.
Three of the victims were located together a few hundred meters below where the skis had been spotted, while the other two were found higher up on a narrow, snow-covered patch.
The victims’ identities and nationalities have not yet been confirmed. Authorities are working on formal identification and have opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. The investigation is focusing on weather conditions and avalanche activity in the region as possible causes of death.
Air Zermatt, the local helicopter rescue service, played a key role in the search and recovery operations. They confirmed the discovery of a fifth pair of skis during the mission, which helped establish that the group consisted of five skiers. The airline’s planes are regularly deployed for search missions and emergency rescues in the area.
Zermatt is a popular and upscale alpine resort, known for attracting wealthy skiers from across Europe and beyond. The climb to Rimpfischhorn is considered challenging and typically takes about five hours from the resort. Climbers often spend a night in a mountain hut before making the ascent, which usually begins from the Blauherd lift station at 2,570 meters.
The incident highlights the dangers of high-altitude skiing and mountaineering in the Alps, especially in areas prone to avalanches and rapidly changing weather. Just days before this tragedy, rescue teams from Zermatt were involved in a difficult operation to save four climbers stranded on the Fiescherhorn peak amid dense fog and strong winds. That rescue was complicated by adverse weather but was ultimately successful.
Authorities continue to monitor the regions for safety and potential avalanche risks. They urge skiers and climbers to prepare carefully and heed all safety warnings when venturing into the mountains. The public prosecutor’s office is leading the inquiry to better understand what led to the deaths and to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In a separate but related event, another skier was killed in an avalanche in a village north of Zermatt, underscoring the ongoing risks in the Swiss Alps during this season.
This sombre discovery serves as a stark reminder of the hazards faced by those who enjoy winter sports in mountainous terrain. Rescue services remain vigilant and ready to respond to emergencies in this challenging environment.