Swiss snowboarder Sophie Hediger has died in an avalanche aged 26, the Swiss-Ski federation confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.

Hediger, who competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics in China, was caught up in an avalanche at the mountain resort of Arosa on Monday.

Commenting on the tragedy, Walter Reusser, the Sport chief executive at Swiss-Ski said: “We are speechless, and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences.

“For the Swiss-Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas period. We are immensely saddened.”

The federation said no further details on Hediger’s death would be revealed following ‘consultation with the bereaved family and her partner’.

Hediger reached the World Cup podium places for the first time in the 2023/24 season, with the Horgen-born native coming second in the World Cup dress rehearsal in St. Moritz.

She would go on to win a medal at the home World Championships in Engadin the following March.

Hediger competed for Switzerland at the 2022 Winter Olympics in women’s snowboard cross, and in the mixed team snowboard cross.

Just last week Hediger posted on Instagram a photo of her competing in a snowboarding event, captioning it: “P9 in the first worldcup of the season @cervinoskiparadise – crashed in 1/4-finals. happy about my riding and my best qualification I’ve ever had with p3.

“thank you @bombac.rok & @lorenzo_marten for the super fast boards & congrats to all our ladies for the great team result.”

Hediger was in a relationship with professional ice hockey player Dario Wuthrich, who plays for Swiss side HC Ambri-Piotta.

Wuthrich’s club posted a touching statement on X, which read: “The Ambri-Piotta Hockey Club joins defender Dario Wuthrich in mourning the sudden and tragic passing of his beloved partner Sophie.

“Our most sincere condolences to Sophie’s family and Dario and a big hug from the whole white and blue family.”

Hediger regularly shared snaps of her and Wuthrich on Instagram, with a story highlight labelled ‘love’ showcasing the pair’s relationship.

A post from September 2021 shows Hediger and Wuthrich arm in arm on a beach, with the caption “Happy Birthday my love”.