Tragedy Strikes Austria's Largest Terrain Park On Opening Day: 16-Year-Old Skier Dies

he excitement of the new ski season was tragically cut short on Saturday as a 16-year-old Austrian boy succumbed to injuries following a serious skiing accident at the Absolutpark terrain park, located in the Shuttleberg Flachauwinkl–Kleinarl area. The incident occurred on the park's opening day.

The youth died in the hospital after being airlifted from the scene of the accident, according to Salzburg police.

According to initial accounts from witnesses and resort officials, the teenager was attempting a run through the park’s freestyle area when they lost control and struck a fixed obstacle. Ski patrol and emergency medical teams were on the scene within minutes and performed advanced life-saving measures, but the young skier succumbed to their injuries and was later pronounced dead at the resort’s medical post.

A resort spokesperson said the park had opened earlier that morning after final grooming and safety checks, and that staff were cooperating fully with local authorities investigating the circumstances of the crash.

The accident reportedly took place on Saturday morning near the exit of the "Beginner Line" (marked as 3 on the trail map) of the Absolutpark, which is recognized as Austria's largest snowpark, spanning 1.5 kilometers of lines and obstacles.

Witnesses told Salzburg police that the teenager attempted to jump over a small drop but did not see another skier who had fallen immediately below the feature and was in the process of standing up. In a tragic attempt to avoid a collision, the 16-year-old reportedly swerved, lost control, and veered off the marked slope.

A police spokesperson quoted by the German newspaper Stern stated that the skier crashed into a frozen snow bank in the open terrain next to the piste.

Emergency responders were quick to arrive at the scene. A rescue helicopter transported the seriously injured teenager to the Kardinal Schwarzenberg Hospital in Schwarzach. Despite the medical team's best efforts, the youth later died from his injuries.

Salzburg police have categorized the incident as a tragic accident and have stated there is no suspicion of foul play. The investigation into the exact sequence of events is ongoing.

The death marks a devastating start to the ski season, highlighting the inherent risks involved in winter sports, even on designated slopes. It serves as a somber reminder to exercise caution and maintain awareness, particularly in high-traffic areas and feature zones within terrain parks.