One dead after avalanche in Big Cottonwood
Feb 8, 2025, 3:25 PM | Updated: Feb 21, 2025, 8:53 am
Salt Lake County Search and Rescue responds to an avalanche fatality in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
BRIGHTON — One person died after an avalanche in the Silver Fork area of Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one person had died, and one person was rescued. The Utah Avalanche Center said on Instagram that the accident occurred on East Bowl in Silver Fork. Deputy Arlan Bennet with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office said crews were dispatched at approximately 12:45 p.m.
Bennet said both people involved were men in their 50s. It was not immediately clear what they were doing at the time of the avalanche or if the avalanche was human-triggered. He said both of the men had avalanche beacons, but “mother nature can trump all safety equipment.”
A preliminary report on the accident from the Utah Avalanche Center later said the two men were skiers who were both caught and carried in the avalanche, but the cause of the avalanche was not yet known. It said the victim died as a result of trauma, and the injured man was evacuated by helicopter.
Aftermath of an avalanche in Silver Fork, Big Cottonwood Canyon that killed one man and injured another. (Utah Avalanche Center)
The report said the lethal avalanche was 2 feet deep, 150 feet wide and ran 700 feet down the slope.
Capt. Nate Lord with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the survivor was extracted with a leg injury. He urged people to be mindful and look at the Utah Avalanche Center’s website before entering the backcountry.
UDOT Cottonwoods said a helicopter was assisting with search and rescue efforts, and serious travel delays should be expected in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
SR-190 UPDATE Search and Rescue operation involving a helicopter is currently taking place.
EXPECT:
‼️Heavy travel delays/stopped traffic in downhill lanes pic.twitter.com/FmZMCqWJP4— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) February 8, 2025
The Utah Avalanche Center forecasted “Considerable” avalanche danger on all mid to high elevation slopes Saturday.
“Days like this make me nervous. Elevated danger, lots of new snow, buried facets (weak layer), partly cloudy skies, and stoke — it sounds like an avalanche accident waiting to happen,” the Utah Avalanche Center said on its website Saturday morning.
Bennet said recovery efforts for the man who died were delayed due to bad weather, and crews would reassess on Sunday morning. He said efforts were also complicated when another avalanche occurred above the rescue area.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated.
