Warm weather is expected to continue to worsen avalanche conditions.
HIGH TATRAS, Slovakia — Two skiers died Wednesday, February 25, 2026, after being caught in an avalanche in the Mengusovska Valley of the High Tatras mountains, rescue officials reported. The incident underscores the dangers of backcountry skiing amid increasingly unstable snow conditions.
The Air Transport Europe (ATE) rescue service was alerted to the avalanche around midday and dispatched a helicopter from its base in Poprad. Mountain rescuers were picked up in Starý Smokovec before heading to the scene, near Nižná Popradská štrbina, according to ATE.
“According to witnesses who reported the avalanche, two skiers were involved,” ATE stated. “One of the men was dug out of the snow, but without vital signs. Witnesses immediately began CPR, which continued with advanced life support measures led by a doctor upon the rescuers’ arrival. Despite maximum effort, they were unable to restore spontaneous circulation, and the doctor had to pronounce him dead at the scene.”
Second Skier Also Fatally Injured
The second skier remained buried. Rescuers were able to locate him using an avalanche transceiver and subsequently excavate him from the snow.
“Unfortunately, the injuries he sustained from the fall and subsequent burial were incompatible with life. In this case as well, the doctor could only confirm his death,” ATE reported.
The ATE is urging anyone planning to visit the mountains to carefully consider the risks, particularly in areas designated as high-risk. The ongoing warm weather is expected to further deteriorate avalanche conditions.
The Mountain Rescue Service also warned that the avalanche danger remains elevated (level 3) above the treeline in the High and Western Tatras. “In recent days, we have recorded several large spontaneous avalanches. The situation will worsen due to the warming temperatures and sunshine. Further spontaneous avalanches may occur. We do not recommend traveling on slopes with a gradient of more than 30°, but also below them, in the path of possible avalanches,” mountain rescuers said on social media.
