Accident Report
Activity
Snowmobiling
Date
1 snowmobiler caught, partially buried and killed
Synopsis
On February 6, 2022, one snowmobiler in a group of four was caught and killed in a small avalanche on Ski Hill at the south end of Lionhead Ridge. He was on a 45-degree wind-loaded slope when it released and partially buried him against a tree. The slide was 4"-11" deep, 75 feet wide and ran 300 vertical feet on a layer of near-surface facets. The avalanche was not witnessed and the victim was buried an estimated 15-25 minutes before he was uncovered. The shallow, steep slide partially buried the rider with his head a foot under the snow and resuscitation efforts were not successful. The group was familiar with the area and had rescue gear. The avalanche is classified SS-AMu-R1-D2-O.