1st Human-Triggered Avalanche of the Season on Mount Baldy, UT, on Sunday

The last flakes of the first significant snowfall of the winter in Utah had barely even settled when a skier triggered an avalanche in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

• Related: The Dangers of Early Season Backcountry Skiing

According to Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) forecaster Craig Gordon, the slide was triggered near Main Chute on Mount Baldy above Alta Ski Area. Nobody was injured.

The area received almost two feet of snow over the weekend, tempting eager skiers and riders into the backcountry.

“Avalanches are definitely possible, and it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing – going for a hike, hunting, trying to ski or board, or snowshoe; be prepared for avalanches. The main issue will be fresh deposits of wind-drifted snow that could produce slab avalanches. However, in some places where 2-3 feet of snow may accumulate, the new snow alone may produce soft slab avalanches or sluffs of new snow.”

– UAC forecast on Saturday

The UAC said the slide was a “good wake-up call”. Gordon said even a small slide could be devastating.

“It could push you over a cliff, slam you into some trees, or reveal stumps and deadfall that’s underneath this storm. That could be an instant season-ender!”

– Craig Gordon told KUTV 2News