Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

A skier was caught, partially buried, and injured in a Loose Wet avalanche on Tuesday, April 30. The skier descended an open portion of the slope above a narrow chute. He found wind-drifted snow that was not wet in the open bowl. He descended further through the chute. As he was exiting the chute, he was hit from behind by a wet avalanche. The skier wound up on top of the debris except for his lower legs, which were still attached to his skis. He dug himself out, skied to his car, and drove to medical care for an arm injury. The skier alerted Summit County dispatch what had happened so they didn't initiate a response. The skier triggered the avalanche in the chute, and the avalanche gained speed and mass as it ran through the chute, catching the skier.