A powder day in Engelberg escalated into a full emergency response after a skier identified a person buried beneath fresh avalanche snow.
While skiing during heavy snowfall, Italian skier Matteo Zilla noticed what initially appeared to be a skier struggling uphill without skis. As he approached, it became clear that only a limb was visible above the surface. The rest of the body was completely buried.
Video via YouTubeÂ
The area had received an estimated 40 to 50 centimetres of new snow, conditions that significantly increase avalanche risk even within resort terrain. Zilla immediately began digging, focusing on clearing the buried skier’s face and airway while calling for help. Other skiers quickly joined the rescue, working together to free the victim.
Footage shared later shows Zilla speaking calmly to the buried skier while assessing injuries and removing snow methodically. The skier was eventually freed without serious injury.
The incident comes amid a severe avalanche season across Europe. At least 17 people have died in avalanche incidents in the past month alone, prompting repeated extreme risk warnings across the Alps. Several fatal events were reported in France and Austria over the same period, including one case where a skier was rescued alive but later died in hospital.
“At least 17 people have died in avalanche incidents in the past month alone, prompting repeated extreme risk warnings across the Alps.”
Early recognition and fast action changed the outcome. Without it, this incident would almost certainly have added to the growing number of avalanche fatalities this winter.
