Tragic news out of Utah this weekend as reports have come in that a snowboarder was killed in an avalanche near Park City Ski Resort.
On Sunday, a 45-year-old male snowboarder triggered an avalanche that was “significant” in size after exiting the ski area through a backcountry gate.
Images from Utahavalanchecenter.org
The snowboarder was riding in the Conehead area of Dutch Draw when he was buried by the slide. Rescue crews were able to dig him out of the debris by around 12:20 pm.
Accident and Rescue Summary From Utahavalanchecenter.org
Preliminary Report. Will be updated this evening.
A 45 year old male snowboarder left the Canyons Village of Park City via the backcountry exit gate at the top of the 9990′ lift to access Dutch Draw. Part of the way down the slope (Conehead area of Dutch Draw), he triggered and was caught, carried and killed in an avalanche.UAC Staff and Park City and Canyons resort avalanche professionals will investigate the scene Monday morning.
Terrain Summary
The Conehead area of Dutch Draw along the Park City ridgeline is steep, rocky, avalanche prone terrain and was the site of an avalanche fatality in February 2012. The avalanche is adjacent to a cliffband on an east-northeast facing slope at roughly 9600′.
This was the second avalanche fatality so far this winter in North America. The first occurred last week in Colorado where a female backcountry skier was caught and killed in a slide.
Our deepest condolences to the man’s family and friends.