Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Garrett Fletcher · Jan 23, 2020 · Vail & Summit County

View on map

Weather

Beaver Creek Resort Backcountry, just North of Beaver Lake 9000’ E/NE

Snowpack

5”+ inches of new snow had fallen on 1/22 & another 5+ on 1/23. We had observed surface hoar on a similar slope in the area prior to the storm on 1/21. Given the sheltered nature of the slope it most likely did not break down prior to the storm.

Avalanche

Skier 1 triggered a soft slab avalanche remotely, from below the slope. The storm slab triggered on a 35 degree east facing slope at 9000’. We had witnessed several sloughs on the same aspect through the day.