ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — In a remote mountain range near a city in Alaska, a devastating avalanche swept away three skiers who had traveled by helicopter, likely resulting in their tragic deaths under layers of snow nearly as deep as a 10-story building. The Alaska State Troopers revealed this grim news on Wednesday, indicating that if confirmed, this incident would mark the deadliest avalanche in the U.S. since three climbers lost their lives in a slide in Washington’s Cascade Mountains two years ago.
While the troopers have not yet been able to access the site, Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers, conveyed, “Based on the information provided by the operator, unfortunately, we do not believe that any of the three missing persons survived the avalanche.” The avalanche struck the three heli-skiers late Tuesday afternoon near the community of Girdwood, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Anchorage. Heli-skiers utilize helicopters to access remote backcountry areas without ski lifts, where they ski or snowboard down the mountains.
Guides from a heli-skiing company attempted to locate the missing skiers using avalanche beacons and pinpointed a possible burial site where the skiers were trapped under snow at a depth ranging from 40 feet (12 meters) to 100 feet (30 meters). “The guides were unable to recover the three skiers due to the depth. Due to significant avalanche risk in the area and limited daylight, no further recovery operations were conducted on March 4,” McDaniel explained. “If weather and conditions permit, Troopers intend to evaluate avalanche conditions from the air and determine recovery options with experienced individuals in avalanche recoveries.”
Identified as the heli-ski operator involved, Chugach Powder Guides was responsible for the ill-fated expedition. A representative from the company declined to comment when reached by phone. Recognized as one of the original heli-ski operators in Alaska, Chugach Powder Guides’ website elaborates on their services.
Situated 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Girdwood’s airport, the avalanche site lies in an area along the Twentymile River, according to the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center. The center had rated the avalanche danger at higher elevations in the Turnagain Pass area, which encompasses Girdwood, as “considerable” on Tuesday, warning of the potential for triggering avalanches up to 2 feet deep. The forecast advised caution, emphasizing that avoiding steep slopes was the safest choice.
Girdwood is renowned as the skiing hub of Alaska, hosting the Alyeska Resort at the foot of Mount Alyeska, a popular spot for downhill skiing and snowboarding against the backdrop of Turnagain Arm. Perched atop the mountain is the Seven Glaciers Restaurant, offering breathtaking views of the surroundings. Avalanche-related fatalities are a som
Skiers and snowboarders, along with four individuals on snow machines and a ski patroller, were involved in recent avalanche incidents as reported by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The most recent tragedy occurred last Friday in Washington state, where three snowmobilers were caught in a slide. Sadly, one person was buried and killed, while a second individual sustained injuries in the Harts Pass area. Another fatality took place in central Colorado on February 22 when an individual lost their life due to an avalanche. Grand County authorities responded to a skier-triggered avalanche in an area known as “The Fingers” above Berthoud Pass.
In separate incidents, three more lives were lost in avalanches on February 17. One individual perished near Lake Tahoe, while two backcountry skiers met a tragic fate in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Additionally, on February 8, a prominent outdoor guide became trapped in an avalanche in Utah and unfortunately lost their life.
Contributions to this report were made by Associated Press writers Becky Bohrer in Juneau and Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana.
