Two skiers are lucky to be alive after triggering a large avalanche that left them injured and closed Red Mountain Pass on Saturday morning.
“The debris pile was 12 to 15 feet deep and up to 350 feet wide”- CAIC
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, a group of five skiers were descending the Eagle avalanche path at approximately 11:30 am when they triggered a slide. The avalanche swept two of the skiers down the slope and buried Highway 550 in avalanche debris. The two skiers were left with injuries and the road was closed for the majority of the day for snow removal. The severity of those injuries has yet to be released.
CAIC Avalanche Incident Preliminary Report
On February 13 at approximately 11:30 AM a group of five skiers were descending the Eagle avalanche path above US 550. The Eagle path crosses US 550 between Red Mountain Pass and the town of Silverton. The start zone is a south facing, above-treeline slope. Two skiers were caught and carried in the avalanche. The avalanche put debris on US 550. The debris pile was 12 to 15 feet deep and up to 350 feet wide.
Find up to date avalanche advisories for Colorado here: Colorado Avalanche Information Center
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