The Utah Avalanche Center reported multiple close-calls this weekend as skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers took advantage of the fresh snow despite the elevated avalanche warning.
According to Craig Gordon, a forecaster for the Utah Avalanche Center, the center responded to numerous slides and partial burials on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“A lot of the large avalanche slides we saw could have been deadly. Luckily, there were only partial burials and no major injuries but conditions will remain dangerous for the next few days,” Gordon said. “Most of the avalanches we saw were caused by folks not avoiding steep slopes. We saw our largest slide in the western Uinta Mountains which was unintentionally triggered by snowmobilers.”
Gordon added that the avalanche danger is not as bad as it has been in the previous weeks, but the new snow may be giving people a false sense of security.
“It is so easy for people to venture onto treacherous terrain right now because the snow feels secure and stable but the snow underneath the new stuff is really unstable and has a good likelihood of sliding,” he said. “We are also seeing unusual conditions right now because areas where slides usually don’t occur, like thick trees and low slopes, have had avalanches. The snow just needs some time to settle.”
Avalanche danger in the Uinta Mountains will remain elevated throughout the week, according to Gordon, adding that he expects there will be fewer slides this week than over the weekend, but the ones that do occur will be larger and more dangerous.
For more information and updated avalanche reports contact the Utah Avalanche Center at http://utahavalanchecenter.org or call (888) 999-4019.