Recent wet snowstorms on top of light Utah powder have led to some heightened avalanche risks. The first example of this is what happened to Blake Nielsen in Big Cottonwood Canyon, as he was luckily able to keep his body above the slide path.
The second instance occurred in the South Bowl above Wellsville, Utah, where three skiers were nearly trapped by a major avalanche. The avalanche had a 6′ foot depth and 200′ width. The skiers believe that the avalanche was caused by wind-drifted snow, and the group ski cutting into the bowl rather than going back the way that they entered. No one was caught or injured, but it serves as a warning sign of more avalanches to come in the following days and weeks.
KSL broke down the situation and talked with avalanche forecasters to discuss what precautions backcountry skiers and riders need to be making right now.
Image/Video Credits: Utah Avalanche Center, KSL
