It is with great sadness that we report the death of 30-year-old Swedish big-mountain skier Matilda Rapaport.
Rapaport was buried in an avalanche while participating in a commercial film shoot in Farrellones, Chile on Thursday, July 14. She was rescued following the incident and airlifted to a hospital in Santiago; reports suggest she arrived at the hospital within and hour and a half of being buried. Rapaport’s condition was critical; she was in a coma due to complications resulting from a lack of oxygen.
Rapaport in Haines, Alaska. Photo: Oskar Enander for Red Bull
Rapaport in Engelberg, Switzerland. Photo: Mattias Fredriksson for Red Bull
Today, Monday, July 18, Rapaport succumbed to her injuries. Her mother Annika and her husband—Swedish World Cup slalom skier Mattias Hargin—were at her side.
Rapaport was a successful big-mountain skier who made her mark all over the world; her accolades include many noteworthy results on the Freeride World Tour: 2nd at Haines, Alaska in 2016; 3rd at Chamonix Mont-Blanc in 2016; 2nd at Chamonix in 2014; 1st at Verbier Xtreme in 2013. Rapaport also spent much time working with esteemed film production companies including Shades of Winter; the group is set to release its latest film Between this October. That film will feature some of the world’s best female skiers—including Rapaport—and other female extreme sports athletes.
Between — Official Trailer
Rapaport’s second place run from Haines, Alaska, 2016
Rapaport will be dearly missed by all corners of the ski community. Remembrances from professional skiers and industry icons are rolling in via social media; we have embedded many of these notes below and will continue to update this page as new tributes are posted. FREESKIER extends its deepest condolences to the Rapaport family, to Mattias Hargin and to all those who were touched by the departed.
The skiing community remembers Matilda Rapaport:
On Thursday last week, my friend @matildarapaport was in an avalanche while skiing in Chile. Unfortunately she was under the snow for a long time and ended up in coma. Due to complications resulting from lack of oxygen, Matilda passed away today. Matilda was such an amazing person, always happy and with a positive attitude towards life and skiing. She was a phenomenal role model for other women skiers and also pushed the boundaries in big mountain skiing. My thoughts are with her husband Mattias Hargin and their family. I cannot even understand how it feels for them in this tragic moment but I hope we all can remember the great memories of Matilda.
A photo posted by MattiasFredriksson Photography (@mattiasfredrikssonphotography) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 7:35am PDT
Goodbye Matilda ••• It was a gray and rainy day when I understood that only a miracle could save you. But just before sunset the sun came out for a few minutes. I felt that it was you saying goodbye to me. It was beautiful and warm, just like you were, and that's how I will remember you. But no memories can fill the black hole I have in my heart now. Thank you for everything. You were great in so many ways. I wish I had any words of comfort for Mattias and the rest of your family, but I don't, because this is too unfair to understand. Goodbye dear friend.
A photo posted by Johan Jonsson (@jonsbert) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 8:14am PDT
One of the most amazing woman on skis, a inspiration always with a smile on here face. My thoughts are with her husband Mattias Hargin and their family. We will miss you and love you Matilda.
A photo posted by Daniel Rönnbäck Photography (@danielronnback) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 8:32am PDT
Matilda. There is so much I would like to say. It is so unfair and I can't really believe that this is true. There is just no words to describe it all. But I would like to thank you. I would like to thank you for being such big inspiration on and off the mountain. For pushing and cheering. And for charging down those mountains like no one else. You will always be a big inspiration. Hopefully you are skiing in a place with endless powder spreading smiles just like you did here on earth. Sending all my love to Mattias and family❤️
A photo posted by KAJSA LARSSON (@kajsal) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 7:46am PDT
Goodbye my friend, thank you taking me into the Engelberg family. You have and will always be a big inspiration for me. Don't think I will ever meet a person that is as motivated and still so loving and friendly at the same time. My thoughts go out to your family and to you Mattias. ❤️
A photo posted by Johan Axelsson (@vinyljohan) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 8:43am PDT
It feels not long ago I was morning the loss of a friend who lost her life in the mountains. Sadly today it's the same story. @matildarapaport fellow skier and friend is no longer with us. It really makes you think, two friends in three months. Is this sport we all love really worth it? At the same time I'll never stop playing in the mountains, it's what I and all my friends live for. It's what I did today, played in this beautiful wilderness. I just really want myself and my friends to come home after every trip. Be safe out there everyone Matilda and Estelle would want you to come home after every trip too. ❤️
A photo posted by JACKIE PAASO (@jackiepaaso) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:03am PDT
Fly high beautiful snow angel ! We will always remember you @matildarapaport ! #inspireLikeMatilda
A photo posted by Shades of Winter (@shadesofwinter) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 8:46am PDT
@matildarapaport was a friend, but more than anything, she was my biggest inspiration. As an athlete, it can feel like your personality counts more than your athleticism. Matilda's personality was something that I felt I could finally relate to. Matilda showed me that it's okay to be quiet. It's okay to take your training seriously. Okay to not party. Okay to like great food and clothes. Okay to be sad when you lose and happy when you win. I'm going to miss her dearly. I'll miss her blog posts, her professionalism at competitions…Miss those moments where she would be so giddy when her love did well at a ski race. I cant imagine how those closest to her can survive this. It feels unfair. All I can think is to continue to try to be like Matilda.
A photo posted by Hadley Hammer (@hadhammer) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 8:57am PDT
You will be so missed but never forgotten❤️ My thoughts are with the family
A photo posted by Oscar Scherlin (@oscarscherlin) on
Jul 18, 2016 at 9:36am PDT
Matilda, you will be deeply missed but never forgotten! Thanks for always bringing positivity to everyone and always smiling! ❤️ My deepest thoughts and prayers to the ones closest to you, especially @mattiashargin <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/72x72/1f64f.png" alt="