Overview
- The fatal accident occurred on January 3 around 14:00 on black piste No. 1 in the Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach ski area in Tirol.
- The skier from Gelsenkirchen left the marked run and fell about 20 meters into steep, wooded terrain, where a doctor later pronounced him dead.
- Mountain rescue teams and an emergency helicopter responded immediately, but efforts to save the 22-year-old were unsuccessful.
- Regional police say their initial findings show no signs of foul play, and they have not yet determined the precise sequence of events or the cause.
- Local reports note thin snow cover and a rise in ski injuries this season, prompting operators and experts to urge greater caution on high‑difficulty slopes.