Helicopter Hoists Skier Injured In Avalanche @ Big Cottonwood Canyon

BIG COTTONWOOD CAYNON, Utah — Dramatic footage out of Utah where a skier was airlifted out of Big Cottonwood Canyon after getting caught in an avalanche.

The 2-foot deep soft slab avalanche at Little Water Peak traveled 450 vertical feet and caught 4 skiers in all. The of the skiers were able to ski out but one was injured required evacuation. KSL reports the woman is listed in serious condition with upper and lower extremities injures.

The Utah Avalanche Center is currently urging those people heading into the backcountry to use extreme caution:

“In the mountains, we are stacking up foot upon foot upon foot of snow. Wind drifts reactive to our additional weight that’s gonna be the main avalanche concern today.” -Craig Gordon, Avalanche Forecaster with The Utah Avalanche Center.

Read the full report from The Utah Avalanche Center below:

Comments

Four of us set out from Spruces to climb Little Water Peak and to ski Shangri La in search of soft protected northern facing snow away from the crowds. There were no signs of instability on the way up but strong winds were present and noted. After transitioning to ski, the group skied down the northwest ridge of Little Water about 30-40 yds, which was slightly wind-scoured and firm, to look at the north-northeast face. There were no signs of instability on the ridge nor were we punching through on the turns down.

Once lower down on the shoulder while facing east, it was observed that the northeast face was wind loaded and was said out loud by skiers 1 and 2. Before we could turn back west towards Shangri La, the snow suddenly gave way on the shallow shoulder where we were standing and broke only about a foot deep. Unfortunately, a crack appeared running back up the ridge and what appeared into the cornice above the group higher up the ridge which was connected to the shallow shoulder we were standing on.

Picture shows the crack running up onto the slope about where we were standing. We were not standing on a cornice but unfortunately, the sudden collapse of shallow snow underneath us sent the group onto the downhill side of the shoulder and onto the northeast aspect of the ridge before anyone could retreat. Skier 1 slid for about 140 yards and Skier 2 slid for about 120 yards. Skier 2 was about 15 feet behind skier 1 when the slide was triggered. Skier 3 and Skier 4 were behind us. No one was completely buried. Skier 1 lost a ski and pole and skier 2 lost a pole.

After everyone was accounted for, skiers 1 and 2 made their way up to skiers 3 and 4 who were about 50 yards above. Skier 4 was presenting with right shoulder pain and right upper leg pain. Upper leg pain ended up being muscular. It was quickly realized that Skier 4 was not going to be able to ski out so the decision was made to call for rescue immediately before the distant clouds rolled in. The other 3 skiers pulled out all the extra layers to cover Skier 4 along with a reflective emergency bivy. Group took turns attempting to keep skier 4 warm until DPS arrived. DPS was able to hoist Skier 4 out before clouds and wind got worse. Skier 1,2,3 were able to ski out unharmed.

Crown maximum depth was 2′ but average depth was 1′. All 4 skiers were caught and carried and stayed on the surface. The slope angle where the group was traveling was 25°-30° in steepness and the avalanche broke at a rollover that was closer to 35°-40° and pulled out the lower angle slope that the touring party was traveling on.

Forecaster Comments:

First and foremost – We aim to learn from accidents like this and in no way intend to point fingers at victims. We at the Utah Avalanche Center have had our close calls and know how easy it is to make mistakes.

Thank you so much to the involved parties for being willing to talk to us at the Utah Avalanche Center. As a community we learn so much from these accidents and close calls. Please be respectful of anyone involved in an accident as we’re all only a dice roll away from being in their shoes.