Snowmobiler buried in Richfield avalanche survives
Mar 19, 2025, 2:03 PM
A snowmobile triggered this slide on Scout Cabin Hill outside of Richfield, Utah. (Utah Avalanche Center)
(Utah Avalanche Center)
SALT LAKE CITY — A snowmobiler buried in an avalanche in central Utah is lucky to be alive.
According to the Utah Avalanche Center, a snowmobiler triggered the avalanche on Scout Cabin Hill in the mountains east of Richfield on Tuesday and was fully buried.
His friends spotted his fingers sticking out of the snow and dug him out.
Utah Avalanche Center Forecaster Brett Kobernik said the snowmobiler was lucky to walk away.
“He did come out blue,” said Kobernik. “So, you know at that point you’re kind of running out of oxygen. You don’t have a whole lot of time [under] there.”
Kobernik said this is far from the first close call they have had this season.
“We’ve seen numerous close calls this season where someone’s either gloved hand or perhaps a piece of their avalanche rescue airbag is sticking out of snow,” he said. “What can you say? You have just a little bit sticking out of the out of the debris [and] our partners can find you quicker and that’s pretty lucky.”
He urged anyone headed to the backcountry to be extra careful for the next few days.
Kobernik said avalanche danger is going to be elevated at least through the weekend because of how big this last storm was and due to the persistent weak layers underneath it.
Kobernik advised anyone planning to head to the backcountry to check the avalanche forecast and avoid steep slopes until the new snow settles into place.
Adam Small is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. He primarily reports on the Great Salt Lake and Natural Resources. Follow him on Facebook and X.
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