“Maroon Bowl is a steep northwest-facing slope in the near treeline elevation band. The avalanche broke about 200 feet wide and ran approximately 5,000 vertical feet.” -The Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Tragic news out of Colorado where one person was killed in an avalanche just outside Aspen Highlands Sunday afternoon.
The avalanche happened in the Maroon Bowl area of Highland Peak outside the ski boundary of Aspen Highlands. Two others were caught in the slide but were able to self-extricate. Search and rescue teams converged on the area and eventually located the lost skier.
The victim’s identity has not been released. We will update as information becomes available. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends.
Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office:
At this time the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office can confirm a single fatality related to the initial avalanche. Two additional skiers were caught in the slide but we’re able to self extricate. Responders from Mountain Rescue Aspen are working with Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol to safely access the two other skiers and remove them from the avalanche area.
The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of a large avalanche in the Maroon Bowl area of Highland Peak outside the ski area boundary of Aspen Highlands. Early reports indicate multiple skiers may have been caught in the avalanche. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and Mountain Rescue Aspen are actively organizing a response to the incident. More information will be released as it becomes available. 