Austrian Alpine Safety Trust Sounds Alarm as the Country's Avalanche Deaths Double Inside 10 Days - SnowBrains

"As of February 24, 24 people had died in avalanche accidents during the 2025-26 winter season. Much of the statistics provided by ÖKAS in the report were based on this number, however two additional fatalities were reported by Wednesday afternoon, bringing the new total to 26. ÖKAS states that in the last 10 years, an average of 11 people had died by the end of February each year."

"Particularly striking, according to ÖKAS, is how the fatalities have clustered within a short time frame. In the space of just one week, the number of avalanche deaths in Austria doubled from 12 to 24, when 12 people died between February 15 and 21 alone. Of those 12 victims, nine were killed in Tyrol, two in Vorarlberg, and one in Styria."

"Avalanche expert Klaus Hoi, former long-time training director of Austria's mountain guide program, describes these clusters as "avalanche times"-periods when specific snowpack and weather combinations dramatically increase risk over several consecutive days. These "avalanche times"-or what you might call "avalanche windows"-are not a new phenomenon and have occurred in several past winters."

Austria experienced a severe avalanche season in 2025-26, with 26 fatalities recorded by February 25, significantly surpassing historical averages. The 10-year average shows 11 deaths by late February and 16 total per season, making this year's toll exceptionally high with winter still ongoing. A dramatic clustering occurred between February 15-21, when 12 people died in just one week, doubling the death toll from 12 to 24. Most victims were in Tyrol, engaged in freeride skiing near resorts or backcountry touring. The Austrian Board of Trustees for Alpine Safety attributes these clusters to specific snowpack and weather combinations creating extended high-risk periods called "avalanche times."

Read at SnowBrains