A 39-year old Keystone ski patroller died in avalanche while off duty skiing near Wolf Creek ski resort on Thursday. He is believed to originally be from Australia or New Zealand.
“Three backcountry skiers we caught in an avalanche near Wolf Creek Pass. The avalanche released on a west facing slope near treeline. The slide was 3 feet deep, 600 feet wide, and ran 600 feet vertically. One skier was uninjured. The second was injured and required evacuation. The third was killed in the accident. A CAIC forecaster was at the site on the afternoon of the accident. We will post more information as it becomes available.
This was the 6th death in an avalanche in Colorado during the 2011-2012 season. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the survivors and friends and family of the deceased.” – Colorado Avalanche Information Center
These 3 skiers were backcountry skiing and didn’t access the terrain they were on via Wolf Creek’s lift system although they were close to it.
This was the 6th avy death in Colorado this winter season. Colorado’s average avy death total is 5.5. This was the 13th skier death in Colorado this season.
Our condolences.