6 Skiers Found Dead On Tête Blanche: The Full Story Of The Swiss Alps Haute Route Tragedy And The Moix Family

The Swiss Alps, a region synonymous with breathtaking beauty and world-class skiing, became the backdrop for a devastating tragedy in the spring of 2024. The incident, which saw a group of six experienced ski tourers perish on the challenging Haute Route, sent shockwaves through the global mountaineering community. This article, updated with the latest findings from the investigation, delves into the full circumstances of the disaster, the identities of the victims, and the crucial lessons learned from the perilous journey near the Tête Blanche peak.

The event, which began on Saturday, March 9, 2024, involved a group of six individuals who were attempting a segment of the world-famous Haute Route, a multi-day ski traverse between Zermatt and Chamonix. Their ambitious plan to complete the Zermatt-Arolla leg in a single day was tragically cut short when they were overwhelmed by a sudden and ferocious storm, leading to a desperate fight for survival against the elements.

The Victims: Biography and Identity of the Six Skiers

The group consisted of six individuals, five of whom were members of the prominent Moix family from the canton of Valais, Switzerland. The initial search located five bodies together, and the sixth victim was recovered months later. The following is a list of the victims who tragically lost their lives on the Tête Blanche.

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• Jean-Vincent Moix (30): One of three brothers in the group. Described as a London-educated former banker, he was an experienced and well-regarded member of the local community.
• David Moix (27): Brother of Jean-Vincent and Laurent. His passion for the mountains was well-known among his peers.
• Laurent Moix (21): The youngest of the three Moix brothers.
• Marc Moix (44): Cousin to the three brothers.
• Joël Moix (58): The uncle of the three brothers, a highly experienced and respected member of the family and a veteran skier. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
• Sixth Skier (Female, from Canton of Fribourg): The sixth member of the group, a female ski tourer from the canton of Fribourg, was not related to the Moix family. Her body was discovered in August 2024, five months after the initial tragedy, confirming all six members of the party had perished.

The Fatal Route: Zermatt to Evolène on the Haute Route

The skiers were traversing the iconic Haute Route, a high-altitude ski mountaineering path that stretches from Zermatt to Chamonix. This demanding route is renowned for its stunning views but also for its extreme difficulty and exposure to rapidly changing Alpine weather conditions. The group’s journey began in Zermatt, a luxury resort famous for its views of the Matterhorn, with the intention of reaching Arolla, near the village of Evolène, in the Valais canton.

Their planned route took them across the Tête Blanche ("White Head") ridge, a 3,710-meter (12,172-foot) peak. This section is particularly exposed and requires expert navigation and a deep understanding of the mountain environment. The decision to attempt the long traverse in a single day, while ambitious, was within the capability of experienced ski tourers, but it left no margin for error when faced with an unexpected weather event.

How a Sudden Storm Turned a Ski Tour into a Disaster

The ultimate cause of death for all six individuals was determined to be hypothermia, a direct result of being stranded and overwhelmed by a sudden, violent storm. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and brutal nature of the high-altitude Alpine environment, even in the late season.

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The Critical Descent into a Whiteout

The group was caught in a severe storm that brought sudden, heavy snowfall, gale-force winds, and a complete whiteout. Visibility dropped to near zero, making navigation impossible. Crucially, the extreme cold—exacerbated by the wind chill—began to quickly sap the skiers' body heat. Despite their experience, the rapid onset of the conditions proved overwhelming.

Reports from the subsequent investigation suggest the skiers made a desperate attempt to build a snow cave or find shelter to survive the night, but the extreme cold and exhaustion prevented them from completing it effectively. They were found huddled together, a tragic testament to their final moments trying to share body heat and survive the brutal conditions.

The search was initiated after a family member, who was expecting the group in Arolla, alerted the authorities. The search and rescue operation, led by the Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega) and local police, was severely hampered by the very storm that had trapped the skiers. It was only after a brief window of improved weather that a search team was able to reach the Tête Blanche area and locate the first five bodies.

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The Final Investigation and Conclusion

In the months following the tragedy, the Valais public prosecutor’s office launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the deaths. The inquiry sought to determine if any criminal negligence had contributed to the disaster, including the possibility of faulty equipment, poor planning, or failure to heed weather warnings.

The investigation ultimately concluded with the decision to drop the case, finding no evidence of criminal culpability. The official conclusion reinforced the fact that the deaths were a direct result of the extreme and unpredictable weather conditions—the sudden, brutal onset of the storm and the resulting hypothermia. The event was classified as a tragic accident of nature, underscoring the inherent risks of backcountry skiing and high-altitude mountaineering, even for a well-prepared group.

Lessons from the Tête Blanche Tragedy

The loss of the six skiers is a profound tragedy, but it also provides critical lessons for anyone considering a high-altitude Alpine traverse like the Haute Route. These lessons are vital for promoting safety in the world of ski mountaineering:

• The Speed of Alpine Weather: The most significant takeaway is the speed and severity with which weather can change in the high Alps. A clear morning can turn into a life-threatening whiteout in a matter of hours. Always build in a significant buffer for weather delays.
• The Danger of Hypothermia: The primary cause of death was hypothermia, not avalanche. This highlights that cold exposure, especially when combined with exhaustion and wind, is a major, often underestimated, killer on the mountains.
• Redundancy in Navigation: Relying solely on a single GPS device or phone is insufficient. Backcountry skiers must carry multiple forms of navigation, including a map, compass, and a fully charged satellite communication device (like a satellite phone or inReach) for emergency contact, especially in areas with poor cellular service.
• The Importance of Shelter Skills: The ability to quickly and effectively construct a snow cave or emergency shelter is non-negotiable for multi-day ski tours. Proper training in survival skills can be the difference between life and death during an unexpected bivouac.

The Tête Blanche disaster of March 2024 remains a heartbreaking chapter in the history of the Swiss Alps. While the mountains offer unparalleled adventure, they demand the utmost respect, preparation, and caution. The memory of the six skiers, particularly the Moix family, serves as a permanent, solemn reminder of the power of nature and the fine line between an epic journey and an unimaginable tragedy.