16 skier triggered avalanches since storm

Avalanche crown Red Pine Drainage in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Photo: Courtesy of Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and the Alta and Snowbird Ski Patrols.

PARK CITY, Utah — Since Monday evening’s storm which brought Park City resorts in the two feet range, the Utah Avalanche Center website has had 16 documented skier-triggered avalanche observations in the Salt Lake region as of Friday, January 24. The region includes Park City, Salt Lake City, and the Big and Little Cottonwoods.

One observer on the Brighton perimeter/Millicent’s shoulder was tangled up in one, “Just got off the Lift. Boot packing uphill 100 ft from the Patrol shack. A pocket of wind-drifted snow let loose above me. I looked up when I heard [my] buddies behind me calling out to watch out. I was knocked off my feet by an initial slab, then a second larger slab dragged me down the hill about 20 ft. My snowboard was ripped out of my and swallowed by the mountain. Bummer. No injuries. Happy to be unscathed. Keep your heads up out there!”

As of Friday, February 24, the UAC’s forecast is considerable, “The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations and MODERATE at the low elevations on wind-loaded slopes where triggering avalanches up to 2′ deep is likely. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential when traveling in avalanche terrain today. Shallow, wet-loose avalanches are likely on southerly aspects if strong sunshine appears.”