Avalanche — Wasatch Mountains South of I-80, Utah

2011-11-13 · Wasatch Mountains South of I-80, Utah

Event narrative

Two expert skiers were traveling along the well-known terrain of Alta Ski Lifts and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort on November 13th; however, the resorts were not open yet, and the snowpack was very unstable, with considerable to high avalanche danger. When the two skiers reached Gad Valley, one of them triggered an avalanche, which carried him approximately 800 feet through steep rocky terrain and over a small cliff. The victim, a 38-year-old male, was only partially buried, but had already passed away when emergency crews reached the scene.

Wider weather episode

A moist storm system entered northern Utah on November 12th, with the heaviest snow falling in the mountains of far northern Utah. Following the storm, a fatal avalanche occurred in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 354244. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.