Skier injured in backcountry accident in South Monitor along Park City ridgeline

South Monitor bowl along the Park City ridgeline in March of 2017. Photo: Marina Knight // TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah – An avalanche in the backcountry near Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) injured a skier on Thursday.

The incident occurred around 12:58 p.m. when a group of three backcountry skiers accessed the South Monitor area from Big Cottonwood Canyon. During their descent, the first skier triggered a wind slab avalanche. The slab broke 12-24 inches deep and approximately 200 feet wide, pulling the skier into a chute a through trees. The skier remained on top of the debris but lost their skis in the slide.

The skier sustained suspected rib injuries during the ride and called for help via radio after coming to a stop in the debris field. The party self-rescued and contacted a friend waiting for them in a vehicle near The Colony, ultimately evacuating without further assistance.

A separate team, consisting of four PCMR ski patroller on snowmobiles and skis, responded to the area to assist. Life Flight was activated and arrived on the scene but did not require a hoist, as the injured skier declined further medical intervention at that time.

The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) reminds skiers and snowboarders to exercise extreme caution in backcountry terrain, as recent wind events have created dangerous slab conditions. Parties are encouraged to submit detailed reports to help inform safety recommendations and track conditions.

The UAC will visit the site of the avalanche on Friday and provide further details. Their condition has not been officially disclosed.