Utah Avalanche Awareness Week is underway
Dec 5, 2022, 6:31 AM | Updated: 6:40 am
Avalanche Awareness week is Dec. 5 - 11. (FILE: Photo credit: Canva)
(FILE: Photo credit: Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY –The Utah Avalanche Center is kicking off the fourth Annual Avalanche Awareness Week with an event at Sugarhouse Park from 4:30-7 p.m. on Dec. 5.
Last year, 17 people in the US died last year in an avalanche, four of them in Utah. The state ranks fourth highest for avalanche fatalities behind Colorado, Alaska and Washington.
Victims of avalanches are usually backcountry recreationists; snowmobilers, climbers, snowboarders, snowshoers, skiers and hikers.
Snowmobilers have twice the number of fatalities compared to any other activity. The Utah Avalanche Center advises to always check the avalanche report prior to any activity in the backcountry.
Avalanche Awareness week, which runs from Dec. 4-Dec.11, is a joint effort of the Utah Avalanche Center and the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
According to a press release, goal of the week is to save lives through activities that promote avalanche awareness, education and safety.
A variety of events to promote avalanche safety during the week are planned including clinics and presentations by experts.
For a full list of events, go to utahavalanchecenter.org/blog.
Related reading:
