A tragic skiing accident has claimed the life of a young college student in Wisconsin, marking the second fatality at the same ski resort in under thirty days. Alexandra Blattner, a twenty-year-old sophomore at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, was found deceased on February 5 after colliding with a tree at Granite Peak ski resort in Rib Mountain State Park.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The Marathon County Sheriff's Office confirmed to local media that emergency crews responded to the accident shortly before 7:30 p.m. Blattner was skiing with a friend when the incident occurred. According to reports reviewed by WSAW, the friend estimated they were traveling at speeds between twenty-five and thirty miles per hour based on data from his mobile phone.
After reaching the bottom of the slope first, the friend waited briefly for Blattner before taking the lift back up to search for her. By the time he located her, ski patrol personnel were already on the scene, and Blattner had succumbed to her injuries. An X-ray and subsequent medical examiner's report confirmed she suffered a broken neck and died instantly.
A Life Cut Short
Alexandra Blattner, known as Ally to friends and family, was a vibrant member of her university community. She served as the vice president of recruitment for the Tri Sigma sorority and was a student government senator. Hailing from Neenah, Wisconsin, she was pursuing studies in pre-nursing and psychology.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chancellor Manohar Singh announced Blattner's passing in an email to campus staff and students on February 6. The chancellor expressed profound sorrow, noting he had developed a strong connection with Blattner since his arrival at the university.
Her obituary described her as 'a shining light in every room she entered' who lived her life with remarkable energy and purpose. The Tri Sigma national chapter published a heartfelt tribute, with chapter president Tori Deptula stating, 'We are all so lucky to get to call Ally our sister.'
Second Tragedy at Granite Peak
This incident represents the second fatal accident at Granite Peak ski resort within a month. On January 11, thirty-year-old Matthew Ciolkosz died after losing a ski and crashing into a tree at the same resort. Reports indicate Ciolkosz struck his head on the tree with such force that his helmet shattered, and despite life-saving attempts, he later died from his injuries.
The Marathon County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled both Blattner's and Ciolkosz's deaths as accidental. Prior to these recent tragedies, the last fatality at Granite Peak occurred three years ago from cardiac arrest, with the most recent fatal accident before January 2026 happening in 2009 when a twenty-five-year-old snowboarder died from blunt force trauma.
Remembering Alexandra Blattner
In her obituary, Blattner's family encouraged donations in her memory to several organizations including the March of Dimes, Boys and Girls Brigade, Tri Sigma Foundation, or Touch of Class at Neenah High School. They also suggested volunteering time at nursing homes or mental health facilities as an alternative tribute.
The university community continues to mourn the loss of a promising young student whose compassion and leadership touched many lives across campus. As the investigation into the accident continues, safety concerns at winter sports facilities remain under scrutiny following two tragic deaths in rapid succession at the same Wisconsin resort.
