Ueli Kestenholz, a former Olympic bronze medalist who represented Switzerland at the 1998 and 2022 Winter Games, has died. He was 50.
The Swiss Ski Federation confirmed his death in a statement shared with People on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
According to the federation, Kestenholz was trapped in an avalanche on Sunday while snowboarding with a friend in the Lötschental valley in Switzerland. He later died from his injuries.
Kestenholz was remembered as a highly respected and accomplished winter sports athlete, with a career that included an Olympic bronze medal and years representing Switzerland on the international stage.
According to the Valais Cantonal Police, Kestenholz was caught in a sudden avalanche shortly after noon on Sunday.
He was snowboarding with a friend, who was skiing, on the eastern slope of the Lötschental valley in southern Switzerland when the avalanche struck.
“The skier was able to get himself to safety,” police reported. “As for the snowboarder, he was buried and was freed by his colleague and the Valais Cantonal Rescue Organization (OCVS), with the support of three Air Zermatt helicopters.”
Kestenholz was rescued and taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Ueli Kestenholz was a Swiss snowboarder and Olympic medalist best known for representing Switzerland on the world’s biggest winter sports stage. He was born in 1975 and became one of the country’s most respected figures in competitive snowboarding.
Kestenholz competed for Switzerland at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, where he won a bronze medal in snowboarding, helping to raise the profile of the sport during its early Olympic years. More than two decades later, he again represented his country at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a rare achievement that highlighted both his longevity and dedication to winter sports.
Ueli didn’t just love snowboarding in all its forms the federation said. After retiring from competitive racing in 2006, he continued living as a professional outdoor athlete until his final days. He was a freerider, speedrider, paraglider pilot, kitesurfer, skydiver, surfer, wing foiler, and mountain biker — a true all-around athlete.
Kestenholz discovered snowboarding at just 14 years old and went on to become one of Switzerland’s most respected and beloved riders. According to the Swiss Ski Federation, he was also a trailblazer in the sport, taking part in the Olympic debut of snowboard cross at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin.
Beyond competition, Kestenholz remained deeply connected to the mountains and snowboarding culture. He was admired not only for his athletic accomplishments but also for his passion for the outdoors and his experience navigating alpine terrain.
