The bodies of five missing skiers have been discovered in the Swiss Alps, with local authorities continuing to search for a sixth person. The group had gone missing near the 3,706m high Tete Blanche mountain after embarking on a ski tour from Zermatt towards Arolla along the Swiss-Italian border. The skiers, all Swiss nationals aged between 21 and 58, were found at 21:20 local time "without any signs of life," according to a statement from Swiss Valais canton police.
Severe weather conditions, including high winds and heavy snowfalls, have hampered rescue efforts in the region. Anjan Truffer, head of Zermatt's air rescue service, noted that flying was not an option due to "very strong winds, heavy snow, high avalanche danger, and zero visibility." While the group may have been affected by the adverse weather, rather than an avalanche, as they were in a low-risk avalanche area, authorities are still investigating the circumstances of their disappearance.
Ski tours like the one the group undertook follow unprepared alpine routes and are typically equipped with location finders and avalanche shovels. The Zermatt to Arolla route, part of the renowned 120km "Haute Route" from Zermatt to Chamonix, is popular but challenging, suitable only for highly experienced skiers and can take several days to complete.
