Colorado avalanche deaths nearing record for recreationists

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·2 min read
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Colorado is one avalanche death away from tying its worst season for recreational avalanche fatalities after a skier died near Breckenridge over the weekend.

Here's what you need to know about the most recent death, where this season ranks, why Colorado leads the nation in avalanche deaths and three simple steps you can take to reduce avalanche risk.

Latest Colorado avalanche fatality took place near Breckenridge

  • The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is investigating the death of a solo backcountry skier at 13,200 feet on Bald Mountain southeast of Breckenridge.

  • Summit County sheriff's deputies, Summit Rescue Group and Flight for Life all responded and performed a search and recovery in the late evening hours of Saturday and early morning hours of Sunday.

  • The avalanche center described the slide as "small but long-running," 1,300 feet on a 40-degree, east-facing slope.

This is the avalanche that killed a solo skier April 29, 2023, near Breckenridge, Colo.
This is the avalanche that killed a solo skier April 29, 2023, near Breckenridge, Colo.

11th avalanche death in Colorado this season nears record

  • The record for recreationist avalanche deaths in the state is 12, which took place during the 2020-21 season.

  • The last time the state had 11 avalanche deaths was the 2012-13 season.

  • The most people to die in avalanches in the state was during the 1915-16 season, when 20 people died, most of whom were miners.

  • Colorado has recorded 11 of the 24 national avalanche deaths this season.

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A closer look at Colorado avalanche deaths during the 2022-23 season

  • Six were skiers and three were snowmobilers, including two men from the Loveland area. The other two were a snowboarder and snowshoer.

  • Colorado avalanche deaths have occurred every month since December this season. March and February tied for the most fatalities, with three each.

  • Last year, the state's final avalanche death occurred May 29 in Rocky Mountain National Park.

  • There have been 20 people caught and 16 buried in avalanches in Colorado this season.

Why so many avalanche deaths in Colorado this season?

  • Abundant snowpack. Many of the state's river basins are experiencing well-above average snowpack.

  • Repeated heavy snowfall piles on weak layers in the snow, which when triggered, either naturally or by recreationists, slide. Wind also plays a role in loading deposits into the downwind side of ridges, gullies and other terrain features.

3 simple keys to significantly avoid Colorado avalanches

  • Check the detailed avalanche forecast on the center's website, avalanche.state.co.us, before your trip and continue to monitor the conditions at your location.

  • Go in groups but have only one person travel through potential avalanche terrain at a time. This allows a better chance of rescue should a slide occur.

  • All members of the group should be equipped with avalanche safety gear, including an avalanche transceiver, probe pole and shovel, and be trained to effectively use them.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado approaches record for recreationist avalanche deaths