AceShowbiz - Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger has died in an avalanche at the Arosa ski resort in Switzerland, the Swiss-Ski Federation confirmed on Tuesday, December 24. Hediger, who competed for Switzerland in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, was 26 years old.

According to the Federation, Hediger was skiing on a closed slope with another person at the time of the avalanche. Her skiing partner, whose identity and condition have not been released, was also caught in the avalanche. Emergency services were notified, but Hediger was not found for two hours and attempts to resuscitate her on the scene were unsuccessful.

Hediger's death has sent shockwaves through the Swiss ski community. "We are stunned and in our thoughts with Sophie's family, to whom we express our deepest condolences," said Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser. "With the tragic death of Sophie Hediger, a dark shadow has been placed over the Christmas days for the Swiss ski family. We are immeasurably sad."

In accordance with Hediger's family and "life partner," Swiss-Ski will not be providing any additional information about her death.

Hediger achieved her first two World Cup podiums during the 2023-24 season, placing second in St. Moritz, Switzerland and third in Guadari, Georgia. She last posted on Instagram on December 15, expressing happiness about her riding and her best qualification result to date.

An investigation into Hediger's death has been launched, as the risk of avalanches in Switzerland is currently very high due to heavy snowfall in recent days.