SALT LAKE CITY, UT — A tragic avalanche claimed the life of at least one person on Saturday afternoon in the Alta area, with officials confirming the incident took place around 12:45 p.m. on February 8.
According to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, both individuals involved in the avalanche were male and in their 50s. At this time, the cause of the avalanche remains unknown. While one person was confirmed dead, the second individual was rescued and taken off the mountain. The extent of their injuries has not been disclosed by authorities.
On the day of the avalanche, the Utah Avalanche Center had issued warnings for high to considerable avalanche danger across several areas in the state. High avalanche danger indicates “very dangerous avalanche conditions,” advising against travel in avalanche-prone terrain. Considerable danger means “dangerous avalanche conditions” where natural avalanches are possible, and human-triggered avalanches are likely.
The Utah Avalanche Center noted that most avalanche fatalities occur under considerable danger conditions due to the heightened likelihood of human interaction with unstable snow. The center’s warnings serve as a critical reminder of the risks associated with backcountry skiing and snowboarding in such volatile conditions.
Officials continue to investigate the cause of the avalanche while urging outdoor enthusiasts to carefully assess conditions and take necessary precautions when venturing into avalanche terrain. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent dangers of winter recreation in the mountains, particularly when avalanche conditions are elevated.
Authorities have not released the names of the individuals involved at this time, and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is working to gather more information as the investigation continues.