Three people have been confirmed dead after being caught in a large avalanche while skiing in the Alaska backcountry, according to state officials. The avalanche occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday near the west fork of the Twentymile River.
Alaska State Troopers reported that the three heli-skiers were swept away as they attempted to navigate the slopes. Efforts to reach and recover them have been hindered by severe weather conditions. Recovery teams are planning to attempt another operation on Thursday.
Chugach Powder Guides, the company providing heli-skiing access for the group, confirmed the deaths of three clients on Wednesday afternoon. Witnesses stated that the skiers deployed their avalanche airbags in an attempt to survive but were ultimately buried under deep snow.
Following the avalanche, guides from the commercial heli-skiing company immediately began search efforts. Using avalanche beacons, they identified the probable location where the skiers were buried. However, recovery was not possible due to the significant depth of the snow, which ranged from 40 to 100 feet. Further attempts to recover the skiers were unsuccessful on Tuesday due to continued avalanche risks in the area.
Andrew Schauer, the lead avalanche forecaster for the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center in Girdwood, stated that conditions at the time of the avalanche were dangerous and are expected to remain hazardous. Schauer explained that multiple human-caused avalanches have occurred in the backcountry in recent days due to a weak snow layer that formed in early February. This layer has since been buried by several smaller storms, creating unstable conditions across the region.
Schauer warned that the avalanche threat is unlikely to improve in the near future. He advised against venturing into the backcountry despite fresh snowfall, emphasizing that steep terrain remains highly dangerous. Officials recommend that people avoid these areas until conditions stabilize.
The ongoing risk and challenging conditions continue to pose difficulties for recovery teams, making efforts to retrieve the victims dangerous. Authorities are urging backcountry enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution and stay informed about avalanche forecasts before heading into the mountains.
