Two skiers were killed and a third was rescued in an avalanche outside of Salt Lake City following several days of spring snowstorms. The Unified Police Department confirmed the deaths and rescue, with the rescued skier digging himself out and being taken to the hospital. A rescue team confirmed the deaths of the other two skiers, ages 23 and 32, with recovery efforts planned for the following day. The rescued skier was believed to have called for help and was providing information to authorities at the hospital.
The skiers had hiked into the area on the morning of the incident, with approximately 2.5 feet of heavy, wet snow falling in the area over the past three days. According to Craig Gordon of the Utah Avalanche Center, the skiers would have needed to be very experienced to be in such dangerous terrain. The deaths bring the total number of avalanche fatalities for the winter to 15, which is below the average of approximately 30 annual avalanche deaths in the U.S. The conditions after the recent snowstorms were deemed unsafe for recovery efforts on the day of the avalanche, with plans to resume recovery the following morning, weather permitting.
Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera reported the deaths of the two skiers as well as the rescue of the third skier, who had managed to dig himself out from the snow. The names of the victims have not been released, however, their families have been informed. Rivera stated that the rescued skier was likely the one who made the call for help, and authorities were gathering information from him at the hospital. The incident occurred in an area with very serious terrain, requiring a high level of skiing experience to navigate safely.
A rescue team conducted a helicopter search of the area, confirming the deaths of the two skiers and the safety of the third. The deaths were a result of the avalanche triggered by the heavy snowfall in the days leading up to the incident. Recovery efforts were postponed until the following day due to hazardous conditions, and crews were preparing to attempt recovery if weather conditions permitted. The recent snowstorms had created dangerous conditions in the area, leading to the tragic outcome for the three skiers involved in the avalanche.
The deaths of the two skiers and the rescue of the third highlight the risks associated with backcountry skiing during the winter season. The incident occurred after several days of heavy snowfall, creating unstable conditions in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City. The rescued skier managed to escape the avalanche and was undergoing evaluation at the hospital. Recovery efforts were scheduled to resume the following day, pending weather conditions. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions and experienced guidance when engaging in winter sports in mountainous regions.
