Watch: Snowmobiler caught and buried in Wasatch backcountry avalanche

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.

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

The incident involved Ryan Poelman and his son Dodge, who were snowmobiling on the Ant Knolls face according to the avalanche report from the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TownLift (@townliftnews)

“Yes… the famous last words, ‘one more,'” Dodge Poelman told Storyful, describing how his father decided to make one final jump before they wrapped up their outing.

As Ryan landed his final jump, the impact triggered the avalanche, according to his son, who was filming from below. The slide carried Ryan approximately 800 feet downslope before he was pinned against a pine tree and partially buried with serious injuries to his leg and ribs.

Dodge was also caught in the avalanche and temporarily buried but managed to free himself. He quickly located his father about 30 yards away with only his head visible above the snow.

About 20 minutes later, another group of snowmobilers arrived, called 911, and arranged for additional help.

According to the UAC, Ryan had already been extricated when responders arrived on scene and was receiving treatment from a Life Flight nurse. Rescue personnel transported Ryan approximately 150 yards to the waiting medical helicopter while Dodge was able to depart the area on his own snowmobile.

Due to the difficulties of the steep terrain, it took about two and a half hours for Ryan to be airlifted to a hospital, where he underwent surgery for internal bleeding and fractured pelvis bones, according to Storyful.

“I believed in miracles before, and I believe in them even more today,” Dodge said.

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