MT. WASHINGTON, New Hampshire – Tuckerman Ravine is one of the most popular backcountry skiing destinations in New England, if not in the United States. Every year, snowboarders and skiers make the pilgrimage to ride the notorious and historic ravine. Unfortunately, due to its popularity mixed with its hazardous nature, it’s a frequent site for accidents and occasionally an avalanche.
In this incident, a skier and snowboarder duo decided to take ‘The Lip’ into Tuckerman Ravine, a steep, south facing route. The snowboarder descended and moved outside of The Lip’s fall line, but he was still on a connected slope. While the skier was descending after, he released a wind slab sending some debris down the mountain.
Nearly right after, as the skier continued, a hard slab fractured underneath. While the skier was able to stop just before the crown, the snowboarder was taken for a ride in the avalanche to the Tuckerman Ravine floor. Fortunately no injuries were sustained, and the party was able to remove themselves safely.
