A backcountry skier on Berthoud Pass says he is lucky to be alive after an avalanche ripped him off his line and sent him sliding hundreds of yards on Sunday. He ended up partially buried, but managed to dig himself out before rescue teams reached the debris and walked away without major injuries. The near miss has prompted local rescuers and avalanche forecasters to renew warnings about unstable snow and to urge extra caution on sun-warmed and wind-loaded slopes.
In an account to KDVR, the skier said he and a partner, both AIARE-trained and certified as wilderness first responders, were descending a south-facing chute known locally as the "Postage Stamp" when a slab released and swept him roughly 200 yards to the bottom. He reported being buried up to his stomach and digging himself free before a formal search effort got underway, and witnesses called 911 after seeing the slide, according to the report.
Rescue Response And Takeaways
The Grand County Sheriff's Office, Grand County Search and Rescue, and EMS crews responded to the call and worked through the debris field looking for signs of a full burial. In a post on their site, Grand County Search and Rescue said teams identified several decision points that might have prevented the slide and urged backcountry travelers to read and understand avalanche forecasts, carry and regularly practice with rescue gear, and call the sheriff's office promptly when incidents occur so volunteers are not exposed to unnecessary risk.
CAIC Warnings And Conditions
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center had flagged the Front Range for persistent slab problems over the weekend and warned that east-, southeast-, and south-facing slopes carried elevated danger on Sunday. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center notes that weak buried layers can fail without obvious warning signs, so slopes that appear solid at a glance can still avalanche.
Although the party said they were carrying beacons and shovels and had completed an AIARE course, the close call shows how quickly conditions can shift in the backcountry, rescuers told KDVR. Responders emphasized conservative route selection, especially avoiding wind-loaded and sun-baked lines, as one of the most reliable ways to cut down exposure to persistent slab issues.
Backcountry users heading to Berthoud Pass and other Front Range zones are being urged to check the day-of avalanche forecast at the CAIC and to err on the side of caution when slopes show signs of wind loading or afternoon solar warming. Grand County Search and Rescue updates, along with the CAIC forecast, remain key local resources for current conditions.
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