Avalanche
“It is unknown if the goat was wearing an airbag or if it was deployed in the avalanche” – Big Sky Resort Patrol
Ski Patrol at Big Sky Resort, Montana, reported two separate avalanches in closed terrain on Friday, December 15, 2023. One was a natural slide, and the other appears to have been triggered by a goat, who was then carried the full length of the avalanche over rocks before escaping unharmed. The avalanche slid for 1,000 feet, was 40 feet wide, and had a two-foot crown.
Patrol described goat tracks leading into the crown area of the avalanche and goat tracks leaving the debris pile at the bottom. There was no blood or signs of broken legs. It is unknown if the goat was wearing an airbag, but it appears it had a lucky escape after its significant ride.
“Further investigation of the avalanche yesterday showed goat tracks leading into the crown area of the avalanche. At the debris pile, it was obvious that a goat had taken the full ride in the slide that it triggered. There was a depression in the debris pile where the critter had come to rest at the surface, and obvious hoof prints trailing away from the debris pile, and then upslope for the long walk back up to rejoin the herd. There was no blood, and the tracks looked usual, with no obvious sign of broken leg(s). It is unknown if the goat was wearing an airbag or if it was deployed in the avalanche. It was a significant ride, 1K’ vt., 1⁄4 mile linear, likely of high speed, through 2nd Dictator transition, which was taken down to mostly bare ground.”
- Number of slides: 2
- Number caught: 0
- Number buried: 0
- Trigger: Wildlife
- R size: 3
- D size: 2.5
- Bed Surface: O – Old snow
- Problem Type: Persistent Weak Layer
- Slab Thickness: 24.0 inches
- Vertical Fall: 1000ft
- Slab Width: 40.00ft
