In a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking beyond the controlled confines of ski resorts, two skiers triggered a significant avalanche this past Saturday in the backcountry near Brighton Resort. The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC), now investigating the incident, reported that obvious signs of involvement were observed, with emphasis on the two burial holes and nearby probe marks discovered at the scene, stark indicators of the avalanche's severity.
The skiers, apparently having skirted a closure rope to access the dangerous area, were swept approximately 600 feet by the avalanche, as detailed by officials and initially reported by KUTV. Blood found at the site suggested injuries, though it appeared the skiers managed to escape the ordeal. The UAC, having found no one at the avalanche site, noted, "Very little is known about this avalanche so far."
While no fatalities were reported in this incident, the UAC used the opportunity to issue a stern warning about the risks associated with disregarding ski area closures and boundaries. "If you duck ropes or travel beyond ski area boundaries, you are entering the backcountry, where dangerous avalanche conditions may exist. Ski area closures and boundaries are in place for your safety—please respect them," the center advised in a statement echoed by KSL NewsRadio. The UAC highlighted that Utah leads the nation in avalanche-related fatalities involving skiers who exited ski areas and did not return.
In an effort to further understand the circumstances leading up to the avalanche, the UAC is actively seeking contact with the involved skiers, assuring that they are not in trouble, but their accounts could provide valuable information. As described by the Salt Lake Tribune, this latest avalanche comes amidst ongoing efforts by the UAC to promote safety and awareness in avalanche-prone areas, following a season that witnessed the highest number of avalanche-related deaths since 2021.
