The finale of the story about the death of skiers in an avalanche

The Salzburg prosecutor's office has officially closed the investigation into the leader of a ski tour group of the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV), who was caught in an avalanche in the Grossarltal valley in the Pongau region.

The tragedy occurred on January 17, 2026, during a training course near the summit of Tronek. An avalanche covered and completely buried a group of seven people. Four of the hikers died, and three, including a certified mountain and ski guide, survived.

The official investigation found no safety violations or professional negligence on the part of the guide. According to the prosecutor's office, the avalanche on this section of the slope that day could not have been predicted when the tour was planned.

ÖAV President Wolfgang Schnabl and Head of Mountain Sports Jörg Randl confirmed that the club takes responsibility for constantly improving safety standards, despite the inevitable residual risk in the mountains.