Olympic snowboarder dies in avalanche aged 26

Tributes are flowing for an Olympic snowboarder after she died in a tragic accident, leaving the sporting world “immeasurably sad”.

Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has tragically died aged 26.

Hediger passed away on Monday after being caught up in an avalanche at Swiss mountain resort Arosa, The Sun reports.

She had been a member of Switzerland’s snowboard cross national team.

Hediger was part of the Swiss squad that took part in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

And she also achieved her first two World Cup podium positions during the 2023-24 season.

Swiss-Ski sport chief executive Walter Reusser said: “We are speechless and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences.

“For the Swiss-Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas period. We are immeasurably sad.”

Sophie Hediger takes 2nd place during the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup Men's and Women's Snowboard Cross in January 2024 in St Moritz, Switzerland. (Photo by Millo Moravski/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

The 2025 FIS Snowboard World Championships are set to take place in St Moritz in March.

Hediger had finished second in an event at St Moritz back in January. She was in a relationship with Swiss ice hockey player Dario Wuthrich.

His club, HC Ambri Piotta, posted an emotional tribute to Hediger.

They wrote on X: “The Ambrì-Piotta Hockey Club joins defender Dario Wuthrich in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of his beloved partner Sophie.

“Our most sincere condolences to Sophie’s family and Dario and a big hug from the whole white and blue family.”

Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff, who competed in a heat against Hediger at the 2022 Winter Olympics, wrote on Instagram: “Rest in peace Sophie. I am so grateful for the times we spent together and sharing our love for snowboard cross.”

Sophie Hediger has died aged 26. Photo: Instagram.

Tribute came in from the snowboarding world. Photo: Instagram.

Swiss Olympic medal-winning snowboarder Jan Scherrer wrote on Instagram: “This breaks my heart. We will remember you Sophie.

“Be safe out there guys!”

And plenty of fans have also taken to social media to pay their respects.

One wrote: “Terrible. My condolences to the family.”

While a second commented: “This is truly heartbreaking.”

A third said: “May she rest in peace.” And another added: “Praying for the family.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Olympic snowboarder dies in avalanche aged 26