Avalanche accident in connection with heliskiing activities near Abisko

Summary

On 20 March, 2025, an avalanche accident occurred during a guided heliskiing tour in the Kårsavagge valley. Seven persons were involved in the accident: a mountain guide, a helicopter pilot, and five paying guests

During the day, the group had completed several runs in the Abisko area, when the guide and four of the guests set out for a last run. During the run, an avalanche of the persistent slab type was triggered.

Two of the skiers were buried in the avalanche and died. The guide, who was further down than the guests, was caught in the avalanche and was injured. The pilot, who was in the helicopter, also sustained injuries. The helicopter, which was parked below the slope, was hit by the avalanche and its tail boom was damaged.

Extensive rescue operations were carried out. The community’s ability to carry out rescue services was hampered by difficult terrain, poor weather conditions, and the involvement of numerous actors, which made the operation complex and challenging to coordinate. The investigation shows that there is a need to strengthen command capabilities during mountain rescue operations.

Causes of the accident

During guided skiing in unprepared terrain, an avalanche of the type persistent slab was triggered, and the following interacting factors contributed to the accident:

• The skiing was carried out adjacent to, and inside of, avalanche terrain.
• Parts of the group ended up in an area from which the avalanche could be triggered.
• The skiers had not received detailed information on how the descent should be carried out.
• The guide presumed that the skiers would follow his tracks.
• Avalanche problems of the persistent slab type are difficult to identify.
• A false sense of security led to the risks being underestimated.
Since the guide was caught in the avalanche, he was unable to immediately lead and coordinate the companion rescue, which delayed the location of the missing persons.

Safety recommendations

Niehku Adventure AB is recommended to:
• Strengthen risk communication to guests in order to increase the understanding of how guided skiing in unprepared terrain should be carried out safely.

The Swedish Mountain Guide Association (SBO) is recommended to:
• Within the scope of its work, highlight the accident with particular emphasis on the importance of clear and needs-adapted risk communication.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority is recommended to:
• Investigate the need to clarify the requirements for first aid equipment for activities involving particular risks, which are conducted in extremely remote areas.

The Swedish Police Authority is recommended to:
• Clarify its methodological guidelines to ensure that assigned equipment, such as defibrillators and identification, is brought to the accident site.

• Review the possibility of strengthening command capabilities during complex operations in mountain environments.

• Strengthen its efforts regarding radio discipline and the application of pre-planned communication plans during mountain rescue operations involving multiple actors.

The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency is recommended to:
• Ensure, in the development of Rakel G2, that critical societal actors are able communicate in extremely remote areas.

SOS Alarm Sverige AB is recommended to:
• Review its procedures for following up on alarm plans to ensure that the correct resources reach the accident site.