A backcountry snowboarder was killed in an avalanche on Thursday in southwestern Colorado, marking the fourth avalanche-related death in the western U.S. that week due to recent winter storms. The victim was caught while traversing a terrain feature known as The Nose near Silverton. A skier accompanying the snowboarder escaped unharmed, but emergency responders were unable to save the victim despite helicopter rescue efforts. Earlier in the week, two skiers died in an avalanche in Oregon, and a solo skier was killed in California near Lake Tahoe after triggering a separate avalanche.
A backcountry snowboarder tragically lost their life in an avalanche on Thursday in a secluded area of southwestern Colorado, marking the fourth fatality due to a mountain slide this week across the western United States, following multiple winter storms.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the individual was navigating a terrain feature known as The Nose, located near Silverton, Colo., when they were caught in the avalanche.
Authorities reported that a skier accompanying the snowboarder managed to escape the avalanche unharmed.
Emergency responders attempted to rescue the snowboarder using a helicopter, but unfortunately, the person did not survive, as confirmed by the center. Rescuers were alerted to the avalanche by staff from a nearby backcountry hut.
This avalanche adds to what has been a particularly deadly week in the West.
Earlier on Monday, two skiers were caught in an avalanche in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, which happened at an elevation of 6,700 feet on a south-facing slope. Their bodies were recovered the following day.
In a similar incident on Monday, a backcountry skier lost their life in California near Lake Tahoe due to an avalanche.
The Sierra Avalanche Center reported that the skier was traveling solo when he triggered the avalanche, which swept him downslope over rocks and through trees. According to the center, the victim was found buried under more than four feet of snow against a tree.