Ski accidents on the rise

Hiking in the south, still wagging in the north

An incredibly challenging mission on the Pfaffenstein

(Bild: Bergrettung Steiermark)

While the weather in the south is perfect for hiking, the northern mountains are still in the depths of winter in some places. Mountain rescuers and Alpine police therefore have plenty to do with injured hikers and skiers, but paragliders have also had to be rescued. 

In fact, winter in Styria has been extremely special so far. "People are hiking in the south and skiing in the north," says Enrico Radaelli, spokesperson for the Styrian Mountain Rescue Service. And that naturally has an impact on the type of missions. "Those in the alpine area have decreased. However, there has been strong growth in the forestry sector in particular," says Provincial Director Stefan Schröck. There was a 25 percent increase from 2022 to 2023. There are also more incidents on the slopes, but hiking and even paragliding accidents are also on the rise.

However, the number of incidents has remained stable. There were some problematic days, especially around the time of the semester break. The snow melted due to the warm temperatures and the slopes became slippery. Many people were unable to cope with these conditions, which resulted in many incidents. "Fortunately, nothing serious," says Schröck happily. Thomas Kaserer, Deputy Head of Operations at Schladming Mountain Rescue, can also confirm this: "We've certainly had 40 percent more missions on the slopes so far."

Accidents in alpine areas have decreased. However, there has been a strong increase in the forestry sector in particular.

Stefan Schröck, Leiter der Bergrettung Steiermark

In general, the mountain rescuers and alpine police officer Gerhard Rieglthalner appeal to be careful when preparing and planning tours. And, of course, you should be in the right physical condition for what you are planning! "Appearances are deceptive, in the valley it is green and brown, but on the mountains from 1500 meters above sea level it is sometimes deep winter. Many people have problems assessing the conditions, which we've noticed particularly in the last few weeks. We've had a few call-outs because people were wearing shoes that were too light and slipped," says Gerhard Rieglthalner. That's why you should do a lot of research before a tour, pack the right equipment, make sure your cell phone is fully charged, pack enough food and drink and have the right orientation tools such as maps. Know where you are going and of course check the weather conditions carefully. 

Always report avalanches!
There is another thing that the alpine professionals are keen to stress: as soon as you notice an avalanche, please report it immediately! Why? A practical example: "Last week, eyewitnesses noticed a ski tourer off-piste on the Reiteralm who had been caught in an avalanche. A large-scale search was launched immediately. But the man could not be found. Presumably he was able to ski out unharmed," says Thomas Kaserer. However, the ski tourer did not report anywhere. Which would have been helpful to at least shorten the large-scale search operation, including a helicopter and dog unit, to find him. "Unfortunately, things like this happen all the time," says regional director Stefan Schröck. Therefore: Always report avalanches by calling 140 or at the lift station!

Spektakuläre Einsätze

Tourengeher nach Lawine fast verblutet

There is still no trace of the 38-year-old alpinist from Graz who set off on the Grimming at the end of November. Heavy snowfall and wind gusts of up to 80 km/h presented the helpers with enormous challenges. The worst has long since been assumed.  

Intensive search for missing person on the Grimming

(Bild: Bergrettung Steiermark)

The climbing tour of two young men and a woman up the Pfaffenstein at the beginning of February was extremely risky: despite the most adverse conditions, they climbed the notorious mountain and were unable to make it down on their own as darkness fell and wind gusts reached 100 km/h. The search for a missing person took around ten hours. For around ten hours, 15 mountain rescuers were on a dangerous mission to bring the daredevils to safety. 

Because the wind was so strong, no helicopter was able to take off. His blood vessels contracted due to the cold. Otherwise it would probably have been too late.

Alpinpolizist Gerhard Rieglthalner 

On January 10, a 45-year-old experienced ski tourer was in a race against death on the Hochschwab in the area of the Aflenzer Staritzen. He was on a tour with two other friends (29, 50) who had a great affinity for mountain biking. However, he triggered a slab avalanche on the 40 degree steep terrain flank, was swept 200 meters away and finally crashed into a tree. As a result, the man suffered a ruptured blood vessel in his right leg - his life was in absolute danger!

"Injured man tied off his foot"
Based on his experience, he was fully aware of this. That's why he tied his own foot. What's more, there was no cell phone network available, so the emergency services could only be alerted an hour later. "Because the wind was so strong, no helicopter was able to take off," recalls Alpine Police Officer Gerhard Rieglthalner of the challenging mission. The helpers only reached the seriously injured man 3.5 hours later. What helped the 45-year-old in this situation was the prevailing cold. This caused the blood vessels to contract and the bleeding was contained. "Otherwise it would probably have been too late," summarizes the experienced alpine police officer. Fortunately, the wind had also calmed down a little, so the helicopter was finally able to take off in the evening and fly the man to hospital.