Snowmobiler Barely Escapes Avalanche As Entire Ridge Crumbles

A snowmobiler in Utah was incredibly lucky not to have been caught in a massive avalanche he triggered the moment he crested a hill over the weekend in an area known as the Coliseum in Boss Canyon.

The slide measured 4 feet deep, 500 feet across and ran 700 feet vertical. While the rider who triggered it made it out safely, one of the riders in the flats at the bottom of the hill wasn’t so lucky and got partially buried. Thankfully there were other people around who dug him out. The partially buried rider was injured in the incident.

The folks from Utah Avalanche Center went out the site the following day to examine the debris.

“The avalanche was large and scary, and the riders involved were lucky that the outcome wasn’t much worse. We thank everyone who shared photos, videos, and the story. This is exactly the kind of information that could save lives.” –Utah Avalanche Center

Read the preliminary accident report from the Utah Avalanche Center below.

Utah Avalanche Center Preliminary Report:

A close call, especially considering that there was a group of riders at the bottom of the hill when the avalanche occurred. A single rider was cresting the slope and triggered the avalanche in an area where the slab (and the snow depth) was shallow. Most of the riders in the flats were able to get out of the way, but one rider wasn’t. He was caught, partially buried, and injured. There were lots of people around who helped rescue the rider and dig out the deeply buried sled.

Accident and Rescue Summary:

There was a group of riders sitting at the bottom eating lunch and another snowmobiler not part of their group climbed the hill, and right as he crested the top, it broke right below him. Guys at the bottom saw it coming and one guy couldn’t get out of the way in time and got partially buried and knocked out his front teeth. Buried his sled.

Avalanche Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025

Region: Logan » Franklin Basin » Boss Canyon » Coliseum

Location Name or Route: Coliseum, Boss Canyon Fx

Elevation: 9,100′

Aspect: East

Slope Angle: 40°

Trigger: Snowmobiler

Avalanche Type: Hard Slab

Avalanche Problem: Persistent Weak Layer

Weak Layer: Facets

Depth: 4′

Width: 500′