Former Utah Skier Guro Jordheim Dies in Norway Avalanche

The 29-year-old All-American was working ski patrol when the tragedy occurred.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a snowy mountain landscape with skiers, broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of muted blues, grays, and whites, conceptually representing the tragic and fragmented nature of a fatal avalanche.The tragic loss of a rising star skier highlights the inherent risks of the sport, even for the most experienced athletes.Salt Lake City Today

Guro Jordheim, a former University of Utah skier and seven-time All-American, has been identified as one of two people killed in an avalanche in Norway earlier this week. Jordheim was reportedly working ski patrol in the area near Hemsedal when the avalanche struck, sweeping up four people. She and a Swedish man died at the scene.

Why it matters

Jordheim was a decorated collegiate skier who helped lead the Utah Utes to two NCAA championships. Her death is a tragic loss for the skiing community, both in Utah and internationally, as she had transitioned to working ski patrol after retiring from competitive skiing.

The details

According to reports, Jordheim was one of four people caught in the avalanche on Monday in an area near Hemsedal, Norway. All four were quickly located, but Jordheim and a Swedish man did not survive. Jordheim had been working the ski patrol in the area at the time of the incident.

  • The avalanche occurred on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • Jordheim competed for the University of Utah from 2017 to 2020.

The players

Guro Jordheim

A 29-year-old former University of Utah skier who was a seven-time All-American and the 2020 USCSCA women's Nordic Skier of the Year. She helped the Utes win two NCAA championships before retiring from competitive skiing last year and taking a job as a ski patroller in Norway.

University of Utah Ski Team

The collegiate ski team that Jordheim competed for, where she was a standout athlete and helped the team win two NCAA titles.

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What they’re saying

“Guro was loved by everyone who knew her, both on and off the skis. We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, teammates and loved ones.”

— University of Utah Ski Team

The takeaway

The tragic death of Guro Jordheim, a beloved former University of Utah skier, serves as a somber reminder of the risks and dangers inherent in the sport of skiing, even for the most experienced athletes and professionals. Her legacy as a champion collegiate skier will be remembered by the Utah community and the broader skiing world.