- Fatal Montana avalanche caused by snowmobiler on Sunday, Jan. 1st. photo: Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center/Jon Marshall
Two snowmobilers and a skier have perished in Montana this past New Year’s weekend.
Recent snowstorms in Montana have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Old, faceted, low density snow has become established below new higher density snow creating high avalanche danger.
“It’s a rotten year for avalanches. Down low in the valleys you wouldn’t expect that type of avalanche conditions up high. The snow is really unstable.” – Granite County sheriff Stephen Immenschuh/Montana Standard
On Saturday around 1pm, a 44-year-old man was buried and killed while cross-country skiing with his wife southeast of Cooke City. 2 hours before this avalanche, another avalanche buried a 46-year-old man for 12 minutes north of Cooke City before his companions were able to dig him out and save his life.
On Sunday a 20-year-old Butte man was buried and killed while snowmobiling east of Red Lion.
A 52-year-old Montana man died on Sunday due to a medical condition while snowmobiling east of Red Lion.
Avalanche conditions continue to be dangerous throughout the Northern Rockies and British Colombia. Use extra precautions when traveling in the backcountry.
Check out the 20 Avalanches that occurred since December 31st in this Montana zone: Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center