Avalanche — Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

2010-02-11 · Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Event narrative

Seven back-country skiers ventured out on a hut trip near the Ridgeway Hut in the northern San Juan Mountains when two of the skiers were caught in an avalanche. Nearby observations indicated anywhere from 10 to 16 inches of fresh snow had fallen in the 6 days leading up to the event. The skiers were attempting their second run of the day when they decided to split into two groups. One of the skiers in the second group triggered the slide which then carried two of the skiers about 400 feet downhill. One skier was completely buried under 1 to 2 feet of snow, while the other skier was thrown into a large tree. Other party members carrying rescue equipment immediately began searching for the caught skiers. Both skiers were dug out of the snow and brought to the hospital in Montrose by rescue helicopter. The buried skier did not survive, while the other skier suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including a dislocated hip.

Wider weather episode

Several inches of fresh snow fell on top of an unstable snow-pack leading to a skier triggered avalanche which carried two skiers and resulted in one fatality.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 219644. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.