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Skier Survives 20-Meter Cliff Fall After Avalanche
18 Sep
Summary
- Skier survived a harrowing 20-meter cliff fall after triggering an avalanche.
- An avalanche nearly claimed the life of a professional free skier in Norway.
- The entire ordeal, from avalanche trigger to rescue, lasted just 75 seconds.
A professional free skier narrowly escaped a fatal encounter with an avalanche in Norway's Lyngen Alps earlier this year. While descending a powder-covered slope, the skier triggered a snow slab that sent them careening towards a 20-meter cliff. Despite desperate attempts to slow down, the skier tumbled over the edge, landing hard on a treacherous mix of snow, ice, and rocks.
The intense impact knocked the air from their lungs, but remarkably, the skier discovered they were alive and able to move. Adrenaline fueled a desperate crawl towards the surface, and they managed to stop, buried to their waist. Their calls for help were heard, and within minutes, friends arrived with blankets and hot-water bottles.
A helicopter transported the injured skier to the nearest hospital, where it was confirmed they had sustained broken ribs and a snapped femur, requiring immediate surgery. The entire dramatic event, from the avalanche trigger to the skier's successful rescue, was captured on audio recording and lasted only 75 seconds. The skier is currently recovering and plans to return to the slopes next year.
