22-year-old skier airlifted after all-night rescue operation in northern Utah

Rich County, outlined in red, where a 22-year-old woman fell into a ravine while skiing this weekend. Photo: Google Maps

RICH COUNTY, Utah — A 22-year-old skier who became stranded in a remote ravine Sunday afternoon was safely rescued early Monday after an overnight search involving multiple agencies.

The Rich County Sheriff’s Office said the woman texted 911 at about 4:35 p.m. on Dec. 7, reporting she had fallen into trees and slid into a ravine while skiing with a 20-year-old man. She told dispatchers she had been stuck in the steep terrain since roughly 1 p.m. and had lost contact with her companion.

Search crews located the male skier at 6:58 p.m. He was uninjured.

Rich County Search and Rescue deployed ground teams, snowmobiles, ATVs and a drone unit, which made visual contact with the woman but could not reach her because of the rough terrain. Cache County Search and Rescue and personnel from the Utah Department of Natural Resources were also called in to assist.

Poor weather initially prevented a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter from reaching the area Sunday night. Conditions improved just after 4 a.m. Monday, allowing the DPS helicopter team to reach the site and airlift the woman to safety at approximately 4:15 a.m.

She was evaluated at the scene, found to be uninjured, and released to return home, according to the sheriff’s office.