Skier Missing Since Sunday in Utah Found Dead in Avalanche Today

A backcountry skier has been missing in Utah since Sunday.  Investigators are reporting today that that missing skier was found under 3-feet of snow today.

According to the Summit Country Sheriff’s Office, 50-year-old Stephen Jones was killed by an avalanche in the Shale Shot area in Lambs Canyon of the Wasatch mountains of Utah.

The avalanche is reported to have been 60-feet wide and 100-feet long, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Stephen was from Wanship, UT and was reported missing on Sunday night.

Search and rescue personnel found a signal from his avalanche beacon at 2pm on Tuesday.  They extracted Stephen and he was declared dead at the scene.

“Our family would like to express our appreciation to the Summit County Search and Rescue as well as Park City Resort for their support.

From the initial call we made to the Sheriff’s Office this situation has been treated with utmost professionalism and our family is very impressed at the competence and abilities of the search efforts of all involved.

We understand and realize the many friends and family who know Stephen and the desire to help but at this time but we would ask that all volunteers wait until Summit County Search and Rescue requests assistance and ensures the area is safe for volunteers to respond and assist.

At this time our family does not have any further information than what has already been given to the public.  We have complete confidence in the Search and Rescue, Park City Mountain Ski Patrol as well as all involved in this search.  We also want to express our gratitude for the support Park City Resort has shown us.” – spokesperson for the Stephen Jones family

This was the 2nd avalanche death in Utah (January 21st)  this winter and the 15th in the USA.