Dangerous avalanche conditions exist despite nice weather, Utah Avalanche Center says
Feb 21, 2025, 3:00 PM
The crown of an avalanche triggered on Little Water Peak near Millcreek Canyon is pictured on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. The Utah Avalanche Center says the slide was between 3 to 12 feet deep, 800 feet wide and ran for 600 feet. The avalanche was reported the day before,and prompted the Department of Public Safety to search the area from a helicopter. They concluded that no one was caught in the slide, however experts warn these avalanches are deadly. (Utah Avalance Center)
(Utah Avalance Center)
SALT LAKE CITY — A series of storms have left behind prime skiing and riding conditions in the mountains across Utah, but conditions are also indicative of considerable danger for avalanche accidents this weekend.
The Utah Avalanche Center issued a special avalanche bulletin on Friday, saying the nice weather and soft snow may influence people to make unsafe decisions in the backcountry.
“A series of storms in the last week has left thick deposits of snow at all elevations, creating great powder riding conditions and elevating the avalanche danger in the backcountry,” the Utah Avalanche Center said. “Avalanche forecasters with the Utah Avalanche Center are concerned that the deep powder and pleasant weather will influence people to make poor decisions in avalanche terrain.”
A deadly season
“Sadly, there have already been four avalanche fatalities this season, and as is usually the case, all were preventable,” the Utah Avalanche Center said in the bulletin.
On Dec. 28, a Canadian snowboarder was killed in Millcreek Canyon after entering the backcountry alone — his body was found two days later.
On Dec. 31, a snowboarder, also traveling alone, was caught in an avalanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon’s Silver Fork area and was buried 20 feet deep. He was dug out hours later, but did not survive.
Aftermath of an avalanche in Silver Fork, Big Cottonwood Canyon that killed a ski guide and injured his client. (Utah Avalanche Center)
A snowmobiler was killed in the Monte Cristo area near Huntsville on Feb. 3. Although he was with a partner, they weren’t equipped with avalanche rescue gear.
Most recently, on Feb. 8, a ski guide was caught and killed by an avalanche, the second fatal one in Silver Fork of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Both he and his client were caught in the avalanche — the client suffered serious injuries, and the guide did not survive.
All of this season’s fatal accidents occurred on days that the Utah Avalanche Center listed the avalanche danger as at least “considerable.”
Prime avalanche conditions
The Utah Avalanche Center says the majority of avalanche deaths happen on “considerable” danger days because “the maximum interaction between people and avalanches occurs there.” There will be a mixture of “considerable” and “moderate” avalanche danger ratings across Utah this weekend.
Avalanche danger for regions across Utah on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. (Utah Avalanche Center)
“While most natural avalanches occur during a storm, most avalanche accidents occur after the storm passes, even as the conditions become more stable,” the Utah Avalanche Center said. “People take more risks when the sun comes out, the powder is deep, and the visibility is good.”
That will be the case this weekend: The Center said skiers and riders will have the potential to trigger dangerous avalanches on many slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
The Utah Avalanche Center urged anyone entering the backcountry to check their local avalanche forecast, travel with others and carry — and know how to use — lifesaving avalanche rescue equipment.
