Avalanche
Got hit by an avalanche and lived to tell about it. We are lucky. @Snowbird @skiutah @KSL5TV @KUTV2News pic.twitter.com/bmesM5Zsw9
— Jp (@2investjp) March 19, 2025
State Route 210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon was hit by an avalanche on Tuesday evening, trapping three vehicles and forcing the Utah Department of Transport (UDOT) to close the road. No injuries were reported, but Alta and Snowbird are under Interlodge orders until 8:45 a.m.
“AVALANCHE SR-210 Closed; if on road, return to parking lots and follow directions from UDOT and law enforcement.”
– @AltaCentral social media
The slide occurred near Snowbird Ski Resort, partially burying two vehicles under heavy snow. Drivers were directed to return to ski area parking lots while UDOT crews cleared debris and conducted mitigation efforts. The canyon remained closed overnight.
Resort Status Update:
Highway SR-210 is CLOSED effective immediately. Interlodge is IN EFFECT for the Snowbird Village.
— Snowbird Alerts (@SnowbirdAlerts) March 18, 2025
UDOT’s public relations director, John Gleason, emphasized the importance of earlier mitigation work in preventing more severe consequences. “Fortunately, no one was injured,” Gleason said. “Our crews reacted immediately by shutting down the canyon and addressing the situation.”
Road Closure Update
SR-210 CLOSED due to hazardous avalanche conditions.Currently clearing avalanche debris on @snowbird Entry 4/Bypass Road (MP 10.9)
2 vehicles partially buried, no injuries reported
No ETO, will update as information becomes available pic.twitter.com/bv4njyfLFC
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) March 19, 2025
Interlodge orders—a safety protocol requiring individuals to remain indoors—were issued for Snowbird Village and Alta’s Hellgate area during the cleanup. These restrictions were lifted around 8:30 p.m., and SR-210 reopened shortly after for downhill traffic only. In 2021, a record-breaking 60-hour Interlodge trapped guests in their accommodation following five feet of snow in seven days.
“Highway SR-210 is now CLOSED for UDOT avalanche mitigation and Interlodge is IN EFFECT for the Snowbird Village. The estimated time of reopening is 8:45 am, Wednesday, March 19, results depending.”
– Snowbird statement
The avalanche followed a significant snowstorm that brought 22 inches of fresh snow to Snowbird and 27 to Alta within 24 hours. UDOT plans to continue avalanche control operations into Wednesday morning to ensure safe conditions for reopening. The avalanche rating for the day was considerable, 3 out of 5 on the danger scale. No reports have been submitted to the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) following this slide.
“The danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE on all slopes of the mid and upper elevations with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Plan to see old, new, and developing drifts all around the compass. Remember that new snow avalanches such as storm slabs and loose snow sluffs may run naturally during periods of peak instability.”
Little Cottonwood Canyon is one of the most avalanche-prone areas globally, with SR-210 often referred to as “the most dangerous road in the world” due to its avalanche risk.
