Overview
- The avalanche struck on Jan. 11 on the eastern slope of Hockuchriz in the Lötschental valley at about 2,400 meters while Kestenholz was snowboarding with a skier friend.
- His companion located and dug him out before rescue teams from the Valais Cantonal Rescue Organization arrived with support from three Air Zermatt helicopters.
- Kestenholz was airlifted first to a hospital in Visp and then transferred to Sion, where he later died of his injuries.
- Valais police say the cause of the slide remains unknown and the circumstances are under investigation.
- Swiss‑Ski confirmed his death and issued condolences; Kestenholz won bronze at Nagano 1998, competed at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Games, claimed two X‑Games snowboardcross titles, and leaves a wife and two children.