Avalanche in Wasatch Mountains South of I-80, Utah

Two skiers left the Butler Fork trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon Saturday morning 2/21 with the plan to do a run known as The Triangle. This is in Butler Basin, a Big Cottonwood Canyon drainage east of Gobblers Knob. The skiers ascended a steep north-facing slope next to the desired run, when near the top an avalanche broke. Both skiers were caught and carried around 100 feet down the slope, becoming fully buried at the bottom. Other groups of skiers in the basin witnessed the avalanche occur, and notified 911, Alta Central, and began rescue efforts. Around 10 minutes after the avalanche, one of the bystanders made their way to the debris, conducted a beacon search, and eventually found a splitboard binding still attached. Additional bystanders arrived and helped uncover the first victim, cleared their airway, allowing them to breathe and gain consciousness. The victim had suffered a leg injury, but was moved to a safer location. Around this time others began transceiver searching for the other victim, eventually exposing the boot. The skier was buried around 150 cm and face down. The second victim was unburied and CPR efforts were initiated. An EMT was longlined to assist the first victim who had regained consciousness, and the second victim was airlifted from the scene but later succumbed to their injuries.

Following a strong mid-month winter storm which produced substantial mountain snow accumulations, many avalanches were reported across Utah's mountains due to snowpack conditions.