Utah Avalanche Center investigates massive 1,400′ wide avalanche

A snowmobile triggered an avalanche in American Fork Canyon, spanning 1,400 feet in width and approximately 2 feet in depth. Photo: Utah Avalanche Center

A snowmobile triggered an avalanche in American Fork Canyon, spanning 1,400 feet in width and approximately 2 feet in depth. The avalanche occurred on a southeast-facing slope, failing on a thin layer of facets above an ice crust.

PROVO, Utah — The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) has shared the video below as part of their investigation into a snowmobile-triggered avalanche in American Fork Canyon on Feb. 22. The avalanche spanned 1,400 feet in width and was approximately 2 feet deep, occurring on a southeast-facing slope due to failure on a thin layer of facets above an ice crust. The UAC reported that one or two individuals were likely caught in the avalanche. They had left the scene by the time a second group arrived and conducted a beacon search to ensure no one was buried. It appears that at least one snowmobile was caught and partially buried, with indications that another snowmobile may have also been partially buried.