Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in an avalanche at the age of 26

Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger died in an avalanche on Monday, December 23, the Swiss Ski Federation announced.

“Sophie Hediger, a member of the snowboard cross national team, died on Monday in an avalanche accident in Arosa at the age of just 26,” the federation. confirmed.

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

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

The federation asked for privacy for Hediger’s family and listed some of her achievements in the sport. In 2023 and 2024 she achieved her first two WC podium places and came second at the WC dressage test in St. Moritz.

On December 15, she wrote excitedly about a recent competition in Italy. “Disturbed in 1/4 finals. happy with my riding and my best qualification ever with p3,” Hediger wrote in her caption.

According to the federation, Hediger fulfilled one of his “sporting dreams” as a member of the Swiss national team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

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She also dreamed of winning a medal at the World Championships in Engadin, Switzerland in March 2025.

“In consultation with the bereaved family and her partner, Swiss-Ski will not provide any further information on Sophie Hediger’s passing and requests that the privacy of the bereaved be respected,” the federation said in their statement.