On Saturday, tragedy struck in central Colorado as one person lost their life in an avalanche, adding to the growing number of avalanche-related fatalities in the western U.S. this season. The incident occurred in Grand County, where authorities responded to a skier-triggered avalanche in a steep area known as 'The Fingers' above Berthoud Pass. This was the second avalanche reported in the county that day, with a few individuals caught in the other slide but fortunately escaping unharmed.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, this marks the third avalanche-related death in Colorado this winter and the second fatality in less than a week in the state. Just days prior, a snowboarder from Crested Butte lost their life in a slide west of Silverton. The tragic trend extends beyond Colorado, with three individuals perishing in avalanches on February 17 — one near Lake Tahoe and two backcountry skiers in Oregon's Cascade Mountains. Additionally, on February 8, a well-known outdoor guide in Utah was caught in an avalanche and did not survive.
California also mourns the loss of a ski patrol member at Mammoth Mountain, who succumbed to injuries sustained in an avalanche during mitigation work conducted on February 14. The incident occurred following a major storm that blanketed the Sierra Nevada with approximately 6 feet of snow over 36 hours. While one ski patroller was successfully extracted and responsive, the other, identified as Claire Murphy, was hospitalized with injuries and later passed away.
The National Avalanche Center reports that each winter, 25 to 30 individuals lose their lives in avalanches across the U.S. Currently, moderate and considerable avalanche risks are present in parts of Colorado, Utah, and Idaho, with avalanche warnings issued for areas in Washington and neighboring Montana. In light of these recent events, the Grand County Sheriff's Office in Colorado emphasizes the importance of backcountry recreational enthusiasts carrying essential equipment and staying informed by checking daily avalanche forecasts.
