Three heliskiers are feared dead after Alaska State Troopers say they were buried in an avalanche on Tuesday.
Guides from a commercial heliskiing operation immediately used avalanche beacons in attempt to locate the three. They zeroed in on area near the West Fork of 20 Mile River near Girdwood.
It’s estimated the snow burying the skiers was as deep as 100 feet. Limited daylight, deep snow, and avalanche danger prevented guides from recovering the three skiers on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Alaska State Troopers told Must Read Alaska they are assessing the situation from the air but say the weather has not been cooperative for recovery efforts.
They will continue to evaluate the possibility of safely resuming recovery efforts and will likely do so if the weather improves.
The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center in recent days described avalanche danger where the skiers were buried as considerable, with human triggered avalanches likely.
The avalanche story has garnered the attention of the national media with outlets like The New York Post, Newsweek, and The Seattle Times reporting the story.
Since 2020, 11 people have been killed by avalanches in Alaska. Three of them were heliskiers.
Dan Fagan reports for Must Read Alaska and hosts a morning drive radio show between 7 and 9 a.m. on 1020 am 92.5 and 104.5 fm on KVNT. For news tips email him at [email protected]
So sad .. prayers to the family .
and the gene pool is increased by 3.
your link is from last year. These were the first avalanche deaths in Alaska this year.
Appreciate the correction, Leo. – sd