Snowmobiler survives 800-foot slide in Wasatch backcountry

Ant Knolls Avalanche Feb. 22, 2025. Photo: Mike Shea // Utah Avalanche Center

MIDWAY, Utah — An avalanche in Wasatch County injured one snowmobiler Saturday, prompting a multi-agency rescue operation, officials said.

According to Wasatch County Search and Rescue, the Wasatch County 911 Center received reports of an avalanche in the Snake Creek area west of Midway at approximately noon on February 22.

 

Similar Reads On TownLift

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wasatch Search And Rescue (@wasatch_county_sar)

Two male snowmobilers, a father and son, were caught in the slide. The father sustained severe injuries to his leg and ribs when he was pinned against a pine tree and partially buried, according to the avalanche report from the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC).

The accident occurred in a remote backcountry on the Ant Knolls face, a steep 40-plus degree east-facing slope. The pair had jumped a cornice twice when, on the third attempt, the father triggered the avalanche. He attempted to ride out of the slide but was carried approximately 800 feet downslope.

His son was also caught and partially buried but escaped injury and was able to render aid to his father quickly, officials said.

The UAC report stated that the injured snowmobiler had already been extricated when responders arrived on the scene and received treatment from a Life Flight nurse. Rescue personnel transported the father approximately 150 yards to the waiting medical helicopter while his son was able to depart the area on his snowmobile.

The injured snowmobiler was transported by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The four-hour rescue operation involved emergency responders from Wasatch County Search & Rescue, Wasatch Fire, Intermountain Life Flight, the Utah Division of State Parks, and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Authorities have not released the names of the individuals involved.