Gigantic Wet Slab Avalanche Releases at Montana Ski Area: “Biggest slide I’ve seen,” Says Patrol Director

A ginormous wet slab avalanche was naturally triggered at a private Montana ski area yesterday afternoon. The crown was some 6-8′ deep and the Yellowstone Club ski patrol director said that “it is the biggest slide he has seen on the shoulder.” The avalanche hit a tower.

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Official Avalanche Observation by Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:

Yellowstone Club

Northern Madison

5/19/2020

Code

WS-N-R4-D3.5

Elevation

9800

Aspect

E

Latitude

45.23110

Longitude

-111.44100

Notes

Doug McCabe left a message:

A very large wet slab avalanche released on an east aspect of the YC. It was not human triggered. This is the biggest slide he has seen on the shoulder with an estimated 6-8′ deep crown. The slide hit a tower. R4/D3.5.

Number of slides

1

Number caught

0

Number buried

0

Avalanche Type

Wet slab avalanche

Trigger

Natural trigger

R size

4

D size

3.5

Problem Type

Wet Snow

Slab Thickness

72.0 inches

Advisory Year

19-20