Photo courtesy of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and Silverton Medical Rescue.
SILVERTON, COLORADO — A snowboarder was killed in an avalanche in the Middle Fork of Mineral Creek drainage west of Silverton on Thursday, according to a preliminary report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). The slide also caught a skier in the same party, but they were able to escape.
The two backcountry travelers were navigating terrain known locally as The Nose when a hard slab avalanche released on a northeast-facing slope near treeline. The snowboarder was carried and buried in the debris. Staff from a nearby backcountry hut witnessed the avalanche and immediately alerted search and rescue teams. They then traveled to the site and, along with the skier who had survived the slide, located the buried snowboarder and dug them out.
Despite extensive rescue efforts, the snowboarder did not survive. Responding agencies included the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Silverton Medical Rescue, San Juan County Search and Rescue, La Plata Search and Rescue, Silverton Avalanche School, and Silverton Mountain personnel, with additional support from a helicopter crew.
CAIC investigators plan to visit the accident site Friday and will release a final report next week.
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Avalanche Conditions and Backcountry Risks
Thursday’s accident highlights the persistent avalanche dangers in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Hard slab avalanches, like the one reported, are often triggered by backcountry travelers and can be particularly deadly due to their ability to break widely and carry significant force.
Backcountry users are urged to check the CAIC avalanche forecast before venturing into avalanche-prone areas. Proper avalanche training, carrying rescue equipment, and traveling with experienced partners remain critical precautions.
Lessons Learned & Safety Tips
- Always check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) forecast before heading into the backcountry.
- Carry and know how to use avalanche safety gear, including a beacon, probe, and shovel.
- Travel with partners and practice effective group communication in avalanche terrain.
- Be cautious on wind-loaded slopes and recognize the signs of unstable snowpack.
- Consider taking an avalanche safety course, such as those offered by the Silverton Avalanche School.
To support search and rescue teams that respond to backcountry emergencies, consider purchasing a Colorado Search and Rescue (COSAR) card:
https://cpw.state.co.us/backcountry-search-and-rescue-program
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