avalanches
Following a historic Colorado avalanche season, pros and entrepreneurs create new tools for safer backcountry travel
A new podcast, a rescue sled, an avalanche education app and a guidebook offering mellow tours are some recent innovations offered by Colorado skiers after last year's deadly avalanche season.
Avalanche danger is climbing across Colorado’s high country
Heavy snowstorms have created “a sure recipe for avalanches,” state agency warns
Family of Colorado avalanche victim drops lawsuit against school and guide, targets maker of air bag
Peter Marshall was killed in a January 2019 avalanche while taking a class near Red Mountain Pass. His family is suing Backcountry Access, which made his avalanche air bag pack.
Colorado’s 2020-21 avalanche season was tied for the deadliest. It’s helping forecasters hone warnings and outreach.
Avalanches killed 37 backcountry travelers in the U.S. last winter, including 12 in Colorado. Analysis of each tragedy helps avalanche scientists craft warnings to reach more skiers and snowmobilers.
Colorado snowboarders charged in backcountry avalanche settle criminal case, won’t have to pay $168,000 in restitution
Tyler Dewitt and Evan Hannibal agreed to a deal that includes probation and community service but no financial penalty.
Lack of jurors prompts mistrial in Colorado case against snowboarders who triggered avalanche above I-70
Too few Summit County residents responded to jury summonses in a case against two snowboarders who captured video of an avalanche above the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels.
Eagle County mountaineer killed in avalanche outside Beaver Creek is 12th fatality this season
Gary Smith, an indefatigable explorer who introduced countless skiers to the backcountry, was skiing with a friend in Sanctuary Chute when he was caught in an avalanche Monday.
Avalanche center boss will testify in criminal case against Summit County snowboarders as judge rejects “chilling effect” argument
Colorado Attorney General argued that making Ethan Greene an expert witness for the prosecution of backcountry travelers would stop others from providing information about avalanches.
Stress threatens Colorado search and rescue teams as calls for help climb during coronavirus
Weary after a year of increased calls and grim missions, Colorado's more than 2,800 volunteer backcountry rescuers are hoping lawmakers can find better funding and support.
Avalanche investigators testifying in criminal case could have “chilling effect,” warns Colorado AG
State Attorney General says testimony of Colorado Avalanche Information Center boss Ethan Green in first-ever criminal case involving an avalanche could hinder reporting and damage the research function of the agency.
Satellites, airplanes and lasers are tracking Colorado avalanches
Eye-in-the-sky technology is bringing avalanche science into the 21st century, enabling forecasters with better tools for predicting threats in Colorado’s backcountry.
Avalanche danger remains high in the West, 32 deaths confirmed this season
The accidents have involved different recreational activities — snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking. And experts warn backcountry conditions are not improving.
Snowmobiler killed in avalanche near Colorado’s Rollins Pass was pinned beneath sled
Michael “Tony” Westall was trapped in “a slushy mix of avalanche debris and water.” He is one of 11 backcountry travelers killed in avalanches in Colorado this season.
Snowboarders facing criminal charges for avalanche above I-70 lose a critical battle in court
Two backcountry veterans face a $168,000 fine for an avalanche that buried a road above I-70. A judge rejected their motion to dismiss video of the avalanche they gave to Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Avalanche-trained dog locates body of snowmobiler killed in massive northern Colorado slide
The man died when a slide broke near Ruby Mountain in Jackson County. His death brings the total number of people killed in avalanches this season to 11, a tie for the worst season on record.
Snowmobiler missing after avalanche in Jackson County
There have been 10 avalanche deaths this season in Colorado, making it the deadliest season since 2012-13
Snowboarder, snowmobiler killed in two separate Colorado avalanches on Sunday
Ten backcountry travelers have died in avalanches in Colorado this season, making this winter the deadliest since 2012-13. The hazard continues to climb as new snow and high winds stress a weak snowpack.
MAP: Colorado avalanches have killed at least 11 people during the 2020-21 winter season
Avalanche forecasters and search and rescue crews were worried that this year would be especially deadly because of the coronavirus pandemic and a weak snowpack
Man killed in East Vail avalanche was standing in a spot “he felt safe” when he was buried, report says
Johnny Kuo died during a dangerous avalanche cycle that continues with new snow coming over President's Day weekend
Two decades of local avalanche forecasts in Crested Butte have proved their worth
By “keeping up with the Jones,” a pioneering nonprofit has helped keep fatalities few even as advanced equipment and opportunity send backcountry numbers soaring.
