Ronnie Berlack, 20, from Franconia, New Hampshire ,and Bryce Astle, 19, rom Sandy, Utah died in the incident near the Rettenbach glacier near Soelden, the venue for the annual season-opening World Cup races. Four others skied out of the slide and escaped unhurt. An avalanche alert had been previously declared in the area after days of heavy snowfall and mild temperatures.”Our hearts go out to the Berlack and Astle families, as well as to their extended sport family. Both of them loved what they did and conveyed that to those around them,” U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Tiger Shaw said.” It’s a shock for everybody. Two great boys, great athletes, good skiers. They were fun to have around. We are all in shock, still. It’s very tragic,” declared to media Alpine director Patrick Riml , an Austrian who was born and grew up in Soelden.
