Tragedy in the High Tatras: Ali Olszański and Andrzej Killed in Avalanche

A tragic accident occurred in the Slovak High Tatras, claiming the lives of two Polish citizens. The victims are Ali Olszański, well-known in the mountain community and considered a pioneer of extreme snowboarding, and his close friend Andrzej. The incident happened in demanding terrain where skiers and snowboarders were practicing freeride. Although both men were considered experts in their field and possessed essential safety systems, including beacons and avalanche airbags, the enormous mass of snow prevented them from effectively defending against the force of nature. Slovak rescuers from Horská záchranná služba (HZS) found the bodies after an intensive search operation, but help came too late. The tragedy resonated widely on social media, where the victims had posted updates shortly before their deaths. Controversy was sparked by Olszański's statements regarding the assessment of avalanche danger, which, according to rescuers, could have suggested a disregard for the real risk. Specialists from the Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR) remind us that sudden warming and the specific structure of the snowpack this season make the mountains extremely unpredictable, even for people with years of experience. Furthermore, it is pointed out that avalanche equipment is not a guarantee of survival, but merely a tool that increases chances in the case of smaller snow slides. The history of Polish mountaineering and extreme skiing knows many cases where outstanding professionals died due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances and misjudgment of local snow conditions.The families and friends of the deceased remember them as passionate people who dedicated a large part of their lives to mountain expeditions. The death of Ali Olszański is seen as a huge loss for the Polish freeride community. Experts emphasize that the mountains in Slovakia are characterized by slightly different terrain and slope exposure than on the Polish side, which, combined with difficult weather conditions, led to this fatal event. Mountain services appeal for the utmost caution, reminding that mountains do not forgive mistakes, regardless of a climber's skill level. „The conditions are tough, but I feel confident and safe here.” — Ali Olszański This accident reopens the debate about the thin line between passion and recklessness. Some commentators point to the pressure to create attractive content on social media, which may push athletes to take excessive risks to capture spectacular footage. However, those close to the victims firmly distance themselves from such accusations, pointing to the professionalism and deep humility that both deceased held towards the power of the Tatras. Procedures related to the transportation of the bodies to their home country and the determination of all circumstances of this moving event are currently underway.