Ogden, UT – A warning has been issued by the Utah Avalanche Center after a Christmas Eve avalanche buried a man in Cache County, who was later rescued by his brother. The incident highlights growing concerns over avalanche risks as heavy snow continues to fall in the region.
Officials from the Utah Avalanche Center are closely monitoring the snow conditions, which they say are deteriorating. An avalanche watch has already been issued, and experts anticipate the need for further warnings in the coming days as additional snow accumulates. On Christmas Day, four avalanches were reported, followed by five more on Tuesday, including one that briefly trapped a man in Cache County.
Despite a relatively light snow cover on the mountains, experts are cautioning that the conditions are much more dangerous than they might appear. Craig Gordon, an avalanche forecaster with the Utah Avalanche Center, explained that a dry spell earlier in December created a weak layer in the snowpack. Now, this weak layer is being buried by dense, heavy snow, creating an unstable foundation. Gordon likened it to an “upside-down cake,” where strong snow sits atop weak snow—an inherently dangerous combination.
The weak bottom layer of snow poses a significant risk. According to Gordon, even skiers or snowmobilers at the base of a slope, far from the avalanche’s starting point, could trigger a slide. This is why experts are advising the public to avoid areas with overhanging snow and steep, wind-drifted slopes.
“Currently, we could trigger avalanches from a distance. We don’t even need to be on the slope itself to cause a slide,” Gordon warned. He further stated that avalanche danger is expected to rise to “high” in the coming days.
As the risks grow, the Utah Avalanche Center is urging all backcountry enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution. For those who choose to venture out, Gordon stressed the importance of being equipped for self-rescue. “Carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a shovel, and a probe,” he advised. “Any avalanche triggered right now is going to break deep and wide, potentially exposing hidden obstacles like stumps, deadfall, and rocks.”
Gordon also noted that conditions could be even more hazardous in northern Utah compared to the southern parts of the state. He encouraged everyone planning to go into the backcountry to check local avalanche reports before heading out.
The Utah Avalanche Center’s message is clear: safety must be the top priority as the region faces an increased risk of dangerous avalanches in the coming days.