Aspen
AvalancheAnonymous · Jan 7, 2017 · Aspen
Snowpack
No collapses observed prior to incident
Avalanche
Party of 4 left Highlands ski area. At top of Thumb, 1 turned back because of concerns about conditions. The remaining 3 skiers descended the Thumb Ridge. On steep face at bottom of ridge, party moved right to avoid flanks and debris of large natural avalanche. Skier 1 came down through trees and stopped at of steep slope in what looked like a safe spot, skier's right side of slope. Heard loud whumpf on Skier 2's first turn on steep part of face and yelled. Skier 2 escaped by turning left. May have held onto tree. Slide propagated above Skier 1. Skier 1 tried to hold onto tree but was ripped from it when hit by debris. Carried several hundred feet down slope, under the surface at least twice, and stopped buried to shoulders with skis on. Lost pole but uninjured.