Avalanche
A person was buried in an avalanche just outside the boundary of Park City Ski Resort in Utah today.
The avalanche occurred off the popular “Square Top” zone and the avalanche danger was rated HIGH for that zone and aspect today.
The avalanche occurred at 3:26pm today, January 30, 2021.
The avalanche victim most likely accessed “Square Top” via the backcountry access gate at the top of the 9,990 chairlift – the same access point used by the person that died in an avalanche just outside Park City’s boundaries on January 8, 2021.
“Yesterday was an extremely active day in the backcountry, as of 5:00 AM this morning 17 avalanches were reported in the backcountry, including multiple catches and carries and close calls. Ski patrols also reported large class 2 avalanches triggered with explosives.” – UAC, 1/31/21
The Summit County Sheriff’s Department is saying the avalanche victim’s friend was able to dig up the victim and attempted lifesaving efforts but had to leave the area due to high avalanche danger.
Rescuers did not enter the area due to the high avalanche danger.
The victim is being left at the scene overnight and will hopefully be recovered tomorrow.
They haven’t yet said if the person is dead or not, but it appears very clear that this person did not survive.
Another person died in an avalanche just outside the Park City Ski Resort boundary this month as well.
This was the 7th avalanche death in the USA this season.
The USA averages 28 avalanche fatalities per season.
Summit County, UT Sheriff’s Office Press Release
#Avalanche Update – On January 30, 2021 at 3:26pm the Summit County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an avalanche in the backcountry in an area known as Square Top. This area is located outside resort boundaries near Park City Mountain Canyons Village. The avalanche was triggered by two skiers – one of the skiers was caught in the avalanche. The friend was able to dig to the victim and attempted lifesaving efforts.
Because of the extreme avalanche danger in the area the friend had to leave. The extreme avalanche danger prevented rescuers from getting into the area before nightfall. Summit County Search & Rescue, with the assistance of Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter, will resume rescue operations in the morning.
This is an ongoing operation and no additional information regarding the avalanche victim will be given. Once we have made contact with the victim, we will provide additional details.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office reminds people to use extreme caution when entering the backcountry. People should check avalanche conditions at the Utah Avalanche Center, avoid areas where there is avalanche danger, and be prepared with the proper equipment.
Avalanche Forecast:
Final Report issued by Utah Avalanche Center: https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/58594
Ski areas go to great lengths to prevent avalanches “in area.” Square Top is not in the resort. People who go there do so at their own risk and should not ski in avalanche terrain without safety equipment, training, and knowledge of the risk associated current conditions. Call Utah Avalanche Center at 888 999 4019.
Visit https://utahavalanchecenter.org
Turning first to the loss of life we are saddened by the death of another skier in an historically avalanche prone area. However I am certain that Park City Mountain Resort will take exception to the Snowbrains headline: Avalanche Fatality **in** Park City Ski Resort, UT Sidecountry Today. We can wonder at why Square Top and Dutch Draw are uncontrolled given how close they are to PCMR, but no one should be on either slope when the Avalanche Hazard is high.
Hello Mark, sorry that our title here upset you. We are deeply saddened by this event. Thank you for your comment.
Hmmm… Sorry that it “upset” a reader. But not sorry for the inaccuracy?