TL;DR
Two American backcountry skiers were caught in an avalanche in the Stubai Alps near Neustift im Stubaital, Austria, on April 3. One skier sustained a serious shoulder injury after being swept 200 metres down a steep couloir. Rescue teams airlifted both skiers from the scene.
American Backcountry Skier Seriously Injured After Slab Avalanche in Austria's Stubai Alps
Two American backcountry skiers were caught in an avalanche on Friday, April 3, in the northern Stubai Alps near Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. One of the pair sustained a serious shoulder injury after both were swept roughly 200 metres down a steep couloir.
What Happened
According to a press release from Tyrol Police, the two skiers had set out from the Franz Senn Hut with the goal of reaching the summit of Hintere Wilde Turm, a prominent peak in the Stubai Alps. During their ascent via the Höllenbachferner glacier, they climbed a steep, southeast-facing gully toward the summit ridge.
After reaching the ridge, both skiers removed their skis and continued on foot. At approximately 1:30 p.m., a slab avalanche was triggered by the higher skier. The slide carried both skiers down an east-facing couloir for around 200 metres.
One skier was partially buried up to his shoulders and managed to free himself. His partner was buried more deeply, with only one arm visible above the snow. The partially buried skier located and dug out his companion, who remained conscious but had suffered a serious shoulder injury.
A third alpinist in the area witnessed the avalanche and called emergency services.
