Skier Triggered 2.5
Quick reportavalanche.safety · Apr 26, 2025 · Bow Valley
Avalanche
- Run Length
- 700
- Slab Width
- 40
- Trigger Type
- skier
- Avalanche Size
- 2.5
- Trigger Sub Type
- accidental
- Start Zone Aspect
- E
- Start Zone Incline
- 35
- Avalanche Character
- deepPersistentSlab, wetSlab
- Number Of Avalanches
- 1
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2460
- Runout Zone Elevation
- 2030
- Avalanche Observation
- 12hrsAgo
- Weak Layer Crystal Type
- facets
- Start Zone Elevation Band
- alp
- Avalanche Occurrence Datetime
- 2025-04-26T20:00:00.000Z
Solo skier triggered Sa a large full-depth avalanche within the first 2 turns of Miner's Gully and was carried 500 to 600m down the feature. No burial, no injuries, one lost pole. Incident was witnessed by third party that called 911. Once it was confirmed that the solo skier was ok, the debris was searched with a helicopter external transceiver and RECCO device with no other clues found. Avalanche initially triggered on basal facets in shallow snowpack start zone. Lower down the avalanche appeared to fail as a wet slab. Air temp during the search ranged from +8C to +12C depending on elevation. This avalanche serves as a good reminder of why it is important to star early and finish early during spring conditions. It is a very clear example how stability can dramatically deteriorate with intense daytime warming. This increases the probability of triggering loose wet and/or dangerous deep persistent and wet slab avalanches. (Note: the party visible in the last photo is of the 2 climber who had reported the avalanche and were attempting to initiate a rescue until Kananaskis Mountain Rescue Arrived. They then left the scene and removed themselves from avalanche terrain once the helicopter was on the scene.)
Incident
- Group Size
- 1
- Terrain Trap
- gullyDepression
- Group Activity
- skiing
- Number Involved
- 1
- Number Caught Only
- 1
- Snow Depth Trigger Point
- shallow
- Terrain Shape Trigger Point
- planar
Solo skier triggered Sa a large full-depth avalanche within the first 2 turns of Miner's Gully and was carried 500 to 600m down the feature. No burial, no injuries, one lost pole. Incident was witnessed by third party that called 911. Once it was confirmed that the solo skier was ok, the debris was searched with a helicopter external transceiver and RECCO device with no other clues found. Avalanche initially triggered on basal facets in shallow snowpack start zone. Lower down the avalanche appeared to fail as a wet slab. Air temp during the search ranged from +8C to +12C depending on elevation. This avalanche serves as a good reminder of why it is important to star early and finish early during spring conditions. It is a very clear example how stability can dramatically deteriorate with intense daytime warming. This increases the probability of triggering loose wet and/or dangerous deep persistent and wet slab avalanches. (Note: the party visible in the last photo is of the 2 climber who had reported the avalanche and were attempting to initiate a rescue until Kananaskis Mountain Rescue Arrived. They then left the scene and removed themselves from avalanche terrain once the helicopter was on the scene.)