Avalanche Kills Skier on Guided Tour in Utah

On Thursday afternoon, March 9, a group of guided skiers triggered an avalanche in the Upper Weber Canyon, Utah. Upper Weber Canyon is located 45 minutes northeast of Salt Lake City.

The Summit County Dispatch received a call at 3:30 p.m. and multiple agencies responded.

Two skiers were caught, carried, and buried and a transceiver search ensued. Both individuals were located and one skier was successfully excavated and flown to a nearby hospital. The other skier was buried deeper and wasn’t breathing when he was uncovered. Both air ambulance and guide personnel initiated CPR, but he passed away at the scene.

The avalanche occurred at a slope angle of 37° and was about 400 feet wide and 4 feet deep. Most avalanches happen at an angle of between 34° – 45°, making the terrain prime avalanche terrain.

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At this time there is no other information available as to the age or identity of the individuals involved. The UAC plans to publish an accident report in the days to come where more information will be shared. 

This is the first avalanche fatality the UAC has reported since February 2021.