On March 8, 2024, five cross-country skiers tragically lost their lives near the famous Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. The victims, all relatives, hailed from Switzerland.
The unfortunate event took place as a group of six skiers embarked on a journey from Zermatt, a popular resort town nestled at the base of the Matterhorn, to Arolla, a village near the Italian border.
The group ran into trouble near Tete Blanche, a peak along their route, when they were caught in a severe storm. This left them stranded at an altitude of roughly 11,400 feet with wind gusts up to 75 mph and a temperature of -22F, with windchill factored in.
Commander Christian Varone of the Valais Regional Police, during a press conference in Sion, said the skiers set off on Saturday under initially favorable weather conditions.
A distress signal was sent out by one of the skiers on Saturday afternoon, but rescue operations could not begin immediately. Further concerns arose on Saturday evening when the group failed to reach Arolla as planned, prompting the dispatch of rescue teams.
Rescue efforts were hampered by avalanches, strong winds, heavy fog, and below-freezing temperatures. Using mobile phone networks, the team pinpointed the skiers’ location. However, it wasn’t until Sunday evening that they could reach the area near the Dent Blanche cabin, where they discovered the hypothermic bodies of five skiers lying on or under the snow. They were considered by the rescuers to be lightly dressed, considering the weather. The search for the sixth member of the group continues.
Anjan Truffer, head of rescue at Air Zermatt, reported that the skiers made unsuccessful attempts to construct a snow cave for protection against the wind. Truffer stated, “The picture we found was ugly,” suggesting the disorientation and panic that the group likely experienced before succumbing to the cold.
Klaus Aufdenblatten, a guide, related that the skiers were extremely underprepared for the fatal trip. “The alpinists completely underestimated the weather conditions. The wind in particular can develop enormous power,” he said.
The victims are brothers Jean-Vincent Moix, 30, David Moix, 27, and Laurent Moix, 21, their cousin Marc Moix, 44, and their uncle Joel Moix, 58. The missing skier is Emilie Deschenaux, 28, David’s girlfriend. Her backpack and skis were found next to the bodies of the men. A search for her had to be called off due to fog but was said to resume. Some theories are that she could have fallen into one of the many crevices in the area.
Zermatt, famous for its skiing, attracts tourists from around the world. The challenging Patrouille des Glaciers race occurs in this region, requiring ski tourers to travel from Zermatt through Arolla to Verbier. The route is infamous for its difficulty and poor visibility, posing significant risks even to experienced skiers and mountaineers.
Five years prior to this incident, 14 ski tourers from two different groups lost their way in a severe storm on these treacherous slopes. This led to a lengthy 21-hour rescue operation, which sadly resulted in seven fatalities and multiple injuries among the survivors.
