BREAKING: Multiple skiers involved in Dutch Draw avalanche, one buried

Avalanche in Dutch Draw in Park City Feb. 8. 2025. Photo: Elizabeth Ruark

PARK CITY, UTAH — At 1:15 p.m. today, Summit County Search and Rescue and Park City Ski Patrol responded to an avalanche incident in Dutch Draw, along the Park City Ridgeline just southeast of 9990 and outside Park City Mountain Canyons Village resort boundary.

The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that three skiers were caught in the avalanche. Two skiers were able to ski out of the slide, while one skier was buried. The two unburied skiers quickly dug out the third individual. All three skiers were safely escorted off the mountain and did not require on-site medical treatment.

According to the initial investigation, the avalanche was about 40 yards wide and skier-triggered.

“While we are relieved that there were no fatalities or major injuries, this incident serves as an important reminder of the risks of backcountry recreation,” Sgt. Skyler Talbot of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said. “We urge all backcountry enthusiasts to check avalanche conditions and carry the necessary safety equipment before venturing into the mountains.”

The Utah Avalanche Center report for Saturday February 8, calls for considerable danger on all mid and upper-elevation steep slopes for slab avalanches. The Report states that avalanches can fail within the new snow or at the old/new snow interface. On northerly facing terrain, these avalanches could step down into buried weak layers of faceted snow, making them more dangerous. Human-triggered avalanches 1 to 3 feet deep are likely today. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making will be essential.