2026-04-07

Tragic Avalanche in Hemsedal, Norway, Claims 2 Lives on Easter Monday









A deadly avalanche in Norway’s Hemsedal ski area claimed the lives of two backcountry skiers on Easter Monday. 



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At 11:10 a.m. on Monday, April 6, an avalanche swept through a backcountry zone near the ski area, involving a group of seven skiers. According to the press release by the Red Cross, rapid search was launched, with 19 Red Cross crews responding alongside local authorities. Within an hour, all seven individuals were located. Tragically, a Norwegian woman in her 20s and a Swedish man in his 30s, both permanent residents of Hemsedal municipality, were declared dead. The other five sustained injuries, though their conditions have not been fully detailed.

“It is terribly sad to have such an incident at the end of what has otherwise been a relatively quiet Easter,” said Jarle Bjørge Øverland, head of the national council of the Red Cross Aid Corps.

Hemsedal — home to roughly 2,700 permanent residents — is a tight-knit community where backcountry skiing is a central part of local life. Mayor Per Rørby described the event as “incredibly sad” and noted that fatal accidents occur in the area almost every year, making the loss particularly hard on locals. The municipality immediately mobilized psychosocial teams, grief counselors, and clergy to support the bereaved. The local church remained open to residents on Monday evening.

At the time of the incident, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute had issued an orange avalanche warning for the region, signaling a significant risk of slides.



The Red Cross noted that this Easter period was otherwise quieter than average, due in part to Storm Dave, which prompted many holiday tourists to leave early. Across Norway, around 200 missions were conducted during Easter, compared to an average of 220 over the past ten years, and 234 injuries were reported, half the 18-year average.

“Little snow in the mountains, changing weather conditions, and good preparations have made this year’s Easter quieter than we often experience,” Øverland said.

Hemsedal is located midway between Oslo and Bergen in southern Norway. For winter sport enthusiasts, the area, known as “the Alps of Scandinavia,” offers a mix of lift-accessed alpine terrain and high-quality backcountry skiing. The main resort, Hemsedal Ski Center, offers 53 slopes and 21 lifts, featuring tree-lined lower runs and open, high-alpine terrain. A smaller alternative, Solheisen Skisenter, is located 8 km away, offering a quieter, family-focused skiing experience.



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