A soft slab avalanche measuring two feet deep claimed the life of one skier and injured another in the Cardiff Fork/Silver Fork area of Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday around 12:45pm.
A search and rescue team responded to the scene and the injured skier was brought down from the mountain around 2:30pm. A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter arrived approximately 30 minutes later and extracted the deceased skier. Both the deceased skier and the injured skier have not been identified but they are both men in their 50s and were together the slide was triggered.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson issued the following statement on Saturday night:
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the skier who tragically lost their life today,” she wrote. “I can directly relate to the overwhelming grief, having personally lost a family member to the mountain in Salt Lake County nearly 30 years ago. Our stunning mountains and canyons provide us with a powerful connection to nature, but sometimes that connection brings unimaginable heartache. I also want to extend my best wishes for a swift recovery to the other skiers who were caught in the avalanche and survived. We are profoundly grateful for the dedication of our Salt Lake County Search and Rescue team and others who assisted. Their tireless commitment and skill deserve our deepest appreciation.”
The avalanche danger in Utah remains considerable and anyone traveling in avalanche terrain should be aware:
“Areas of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exist on many slopes of the mid and upper elevations. The danger is most pronounced on northwest to east facing terrain. On these slopes, you may trigger soft slab avalanches 1-3 feet thick and a couple hundred feet wide failing on a variety of weak interfaces. A MODERATE danger exists on many other steep slopes where human triggered avalanches remain possible. Strict travel protocols are essential for backcountry riding today.” -Utah Avalanche Center
Our thoughts go out the victim’s family and friends. Read the preliminary accident report from Utah Avalanche Center below.
Utah Avalanche Center Accident and Rescue Summary:
In the East Bowl of Silver Fork of BCC, two skiers were caught and carried in an avalanche. One was killed via trauma. The other skier sustained significant leg injuries and was evacuated via helicopter.
Wasatch Backcountry Rescue (members of Alta and Snowbird patrols), Utah DPS, and Powderbird assisted with the recovery and rescue.
Observation Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Avalanche Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Region: Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » East Bowl
Location Name or Route: East Bowl – PRELIMINARY REPORT.
Elevation: 10,300′
Aspect: West
Trigger: Unknown
Avalanche Type: Soft Slab
Depth: 2′
Width: 150′
Vertical: Unknown
Caught: 2
Carried: 2
Injured: 2
Killed: 1
