American dies in winter sports accident in French Alps
35-year-old man killed after losing control of his speed riding wing
The incident took place on the north face of the Aiguille du Midi in the Mont Blanc massif (photo for illustrative purposes only)
Shutterstock/Pixelshop/Tayka
An American speed rider has died in the French Alps after losing control of his paraglider-style speed riding wing.
The 35-year-old had taken off from the north face of the Aiguille du Midi in the Mont Blanc massif on Sunday, April 26, from the flat area beyond the ridge, when witnesses saw him lose control, according to reports from Ici Haute-Savoie news network.
Rescuers from the Chamonix High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM) were alerted shortly before 10:30 and arrived at the scene by helicopter.
Several of the victim’s friends were present at the site during the search.
His body was discovered by police and rescue workers around 1,000 metres below the starting point later that morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Speed riding combines a small, paraglider-style wing with skis, allowing participants to alternate between flying and skiing.
The Aiguille du Midi area in the Mont Blanc massif has been the scene of several fatal speed riding accidents in recent years. In 2025, a 20-year-old rider died after a fall on the north face during descent, while in 2022 an experienced 48-year-old rider also lost his life in a similar accident in the same sector.
