Inbounds avalanche at Snowbird triggers closures, no reported injuries

An inbounds avalanche at Snowbird near the resort boundary above the Baby Thunder area of the mountain caused lift closures Friday afternoon. No injuries have been reported. Photo: Snowbird Trail Map

SNOWBIRD, Utah – A natural, inbounds avalanche occurred at 2:10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 in the Defiance Ledge area of Snowbird following heavy snowfall and high winds, prompting a swift response from Snowbird Ski Patrol.

Ski Patrol, assisted by the resort’s avalanche rescue dog team, searched the area and found no evidence of anyone caught in the slide. No missing persons have been reported at this time.

The avalanche followed 10 inches of graupel snow accumulation and wind gusts reaching 83 mph, creating hazardous conditions. As a precaution, all lifts except Chickadee were closed at 2:45 p.m.

Resort officials warn that avalanche mitigation efforts may delay Saturday’s opening. Visitors are advised to check for updates and remain patient as safety measures are implemented.

 

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The Cottonwood Canyons have received over a foot of snow in the past 24 hours with Alta and Snowbird both reporting 19″ on Saturday.

Considerable avalanche danger Saturday, Feb. 8 

The Utah Avalanche Center reports avalanche danger remains considerable on all mid and upper-elevation steep slopes, with the potential for slab avalanches. These slides may occur within the new snow layer or at the old/new snow interface. On north-facing terrain, avalanches could trigger deeper weak layers of faceted snow, increasing their severity. Human-triggered avalanches between 1 to 3 feet deep are likely today. Careful snowpack assessment, cautious route selection, and conservative decision-making are crucial for backcountry travel.