A tragic weekend in the Italian Alps has left three skiers dead after two separate avalanches struck on Feb. 7 — just miles from where the 2026 Winter Olympics will host major alpine skiing events.
According to local officials, the avalanches hit the regions of Trentino Alto Adige and Lombardy, areas already buzzing with Olympic preparation. All three victims were skiing off-piste, meaning they were on unmarked, ungroomed, and unpatrolled terrain when the snow gave way.
Italy’s Alpine Rescue Service said one man was found buried beneath the snow on Punta Rocca, a 3,300-meter peak in the Dolomites. He had been skiing with three companions when he reportedly triggered the slide. The others survived.
The two additional victims were discovered near the small town of Albosaggia. Authorities have not yet released their identities, and rescue crews are still working through unstable snow conditions.
Both avalanches occurred only a few hours from the slopes scheduled to host men’s and women’s alpine events during the Winter Games, raising fresh concerns about backcountry safety as winter conditions continue to fluctuate.
Experts say avalanches like these are rarely random. According to avalanche specialists, about 90% of deadly slides are triggered by the victim or someone in their group. Changing temperatures, wind, and fresh snow pack can create unstable layers just waiting for the slightest movement.
“There’s a misconception that loud noises set off avalanches,” Chris Lundy of the National Avalanche Center told the Associated Press. “It’s really about physical force on an unstable snowpack.”
Italian authorities are reminding winter tourists to stay on designated runs as the region braces for more unpredictable mountain conditions in the weeks ahead.
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