Skier triggered avalanche in Neffs Canyon causes injuries, traps skier for 45 minutes

Avalanche in Neffs Canyon buries and injures skier. Photo: Image courtesy Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, DPS and UAC.

UPDATE: Solo skier triggered an avalanche and was buried for approximately 45 minutes before being rescued. A second solo person heard yelling and dialed 911. The solo skier sustained serious injuries, with FOX 13 reporting that the male skier broke his femur, sustained an arm injury, and was likely dealing with hypothermia. The skier was transported to the hospital. Rescuers from Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, and DPS were involved in the search for the buried skier.

Avalanche location in Neffs Canyon. Image courtesy Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, DPS and UAC.

Rescuers on scene. Image courtesy Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, DPS and UAC.

Aftermath of Avalanche. — Avalanche line. Image courtesy Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, DPS and UAC.

Avalanche line. Image courtesy of Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, DPS and UAC.

UTAH — A skier triggered an avalanche in Neffs Canyon on Wednesday, December 14. The slide was on a northeastern-facing slop at around 7,200 feet, according to the Utah Avalanche Center. The skier was trapped as a result of the avalanche, with rescue operations underway. There have been 13-plus avalanche occurrences since Tuesday, December 13.

Conditions across the entire state from Logan to Moab are a high risk for avalanches. The combination of the early season snow, dry spell, and then multiple feet of snow have created a weak layer that is dangerous regardless of the direction of the slope, according to Utah Avalanche Executive Director Chad Brachelsberg.