There were 37 fatal incidents recorded in 2018 by the National Ski Areas Association.
Are you wondering what happened to the skier who became trapped in an avalanche in Park City, Utah? Not to worry! We’ll go over what led to this skier’s eventual escape.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out!
Utah Avalanche Accident
An avalanche on Saturday, February 19 almost killed a skier. He triggered a massive avalanche in Park City. His fellow skiers were able to rescue him, thanks to some quick thinking on their part.
The Utah Avalanche Center reported that the incident occurred in Wasatch County. The elevation was 9,000 feet, and the slide occurred close to Guardsman Pass. Guardsman Pass is near Salt Lake, Wasatch, and Summit counties.
What Happened to the Skier?
The slide stretched around 200 feet wide and traveled downhill at 200 vertical feet. It was three feet deep, and the Utah Avalanche Center reported the slide was on a slope of 45 degrees steep.
The person who triggered this slide was the fourth skier on that particular slope. They didn’t expect that the hill would break although they knew how steep it was.
Snow around one foot deep engulfed the skier. One of his ski’s stood out of the snow. In an amazing feat, the skier’s friends saved him within one minute.
You can take a look at the video of the avalanche on the Utah Avalanche Center website.
Investigation of the Slide
A Utah Avalanche Center forecaster, Trent Meisenheimer, checked out the slide. He said the avalanche occurred on a small slope. The skier who became buried under the snow had companions with him.
After hitting the jump, the skier landed on a steep part of the slope. This triggered the avalanche, causing the skier to become buried.
When his companions saw the ski sticking out of the snow, they were able to locate him. They brought along shovels and were able to get him out within a minute.
Keep an Eye on Danger Levels
The Utah Avalanche Center provides information about the possibilities of avalanches. There was a warning about avalanches earlier that week before the incident.
The center recommends that skiers in the back-country watch out for their companions. Carry avalanche beacons, probes, and shovels at all times. This will help you if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
The group had all the right equipment and were able to perform a successful recovery.
If you want to go snowboarding or skiing, Park City lodging is near most world-class ski resorts. Consider getting travel insurance for your trip.
Want to Learn More?
We hope you found this article on the Utah avalanche insightful. If you’re going skiing or snowboarding, find out the rating for avalanches in your area. Take the proper equipment with you so you can help out a friend in an emergency.
Want to learn more? Check out these fashionable winter workout clothes that will keep you warm.
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