Snowmobile Triggered Avalanche

Avalanche

Run Length

300

Slab Width

64

Trigger Type

snowmobile

Wind Exposure

crossLoadedSlope

Avalanche Size

2.5

Slab Thickness

300

Trigger Sub Type

accidental

Start Zone Aspect

NW

Vegetation Cover

openSlope

Start Zone Incline

31

Avalanche Character

persistentSlab, windSlab

Number Of Avalanches

1

Start Zone Elevation

2100

Runout Zone Elevation

1795

Avalanche Observation

12hrsAgo

Start Zone Elevation Band

alp

Avalanche Occurrence Datetime

2026-03-09T11:28:00.000Z

# Avalanche Incident Report ## Bralone Area - "The Books" | March 9, 2026 --- On the afternoon of March 9, 2026, a group of seven snowmobilers were riding in the Bralone backcountry near a feature known as "The Books." At approximately 4:30 PM, while traversing a northwest-facing slope, one of the riders triggered a size 2.5 avalanche. The slide appeared to be a wind slab that released on an underlying crust layer—a common weak layer interface that had been building in the area. The avalanche ran with enough force to catch one member of the group, carrying him downslope and burying him up to his neck in debris. Fortunately, the buried rider's head remained above the snow surface. This outcome was likely due to his avalanche airbag, which he had deployed during the slide. The remaining six members of the group responded immediately, and dug out their companion and extracted his snowmobile from the debris. The buried rider sustained no injuries. The entire group exited the area without further incident.