Olympian Sophia Hediger dies aged 26 in an avalanche

On By Littum

Olympian Sophia Hediger has sadly died after being swept away by an avalanche on Monday. The Swiss snowboarder was just 26 years old. She participated in the 2022 Beijing Games.

Tragically struck on Monday on the slopes. An avalanche trapped and killed Hediger. Following her passing, the Swiss Ski Federation announced Sophia’s passing. They explained that an avalanche at the Arosa resort unfortunately cost the snowboarder his life.

“We are stunned,” Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser said in a statement, “and our thoughts go out to Sophie’s family, to whom we extend our deepest condolences.”

They also took time to remember Sophia and her legacy. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, she competed in women’s snowboard cross among several other events. She followed up that competition by competing in World Cup competitions, finishing on the podium twice.

Sophia Hediger dies

The snowboarder recently turned 26 on December 14. She died just two days before Christmas and the holidays.

“For the Swiss Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie Hediger has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas holidays,” Reusser said. “We are extremely saddened. We will preserve an honorable memory of Sophie.”

After her passing, several of her fans took to social media to mourn her loss.

“Terrible. My condolences to the family.”

“It’s boring to die at such a young age, but at least she was doing what she loved?”

“This is so sad. A reminder that you can be on top of the world and then have your life taken away from you randomly by Mother Nature.”

“This is truly heartbreaking. Sophie Hediger, a talented young Olympian, was taken far too soon. My thoughts go out to her family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”

“She also took avalanche courses like most of us who hit the slopes hard. I can’t imagine knowing you won’t make it. It’s terrible for me. RIP you died doing what you love but you didn’t deserve this….“

“So heartbreaking to hear about Sophie. She was such a talent and had so much ahead of her. Rest in peace.”

“Great woman on snow, but now she sees and rides the slopes in the sky.”