GRAND COUNTY, COLORADO — A large avalanche on Gravel Mountain, north of Granby, nearly turned into a mass casualty event on Saturday, February 22, when four snowmobilers were caught in the slide, two of whom were partially buried. Miraculously, all riders escaped without injury.
According to a report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), the avalanche occurred in a popular snowmobiling area where multiple groups were riding at the time. The incident began when a group of four riders took turns climbing a steep slope and launching off a cornice. Three of them had gathered near the edge, waiting for the fourth to crest the top, when the snowpack suddenly collapsed beneath them. The cornice broke away, triggering a persistent slab avalanche on the slope below.
Three of the riders fell over the edge as the snow gave way, with one deploying his avalanche airbag as he was swept downhill. He came to rest partially buried but with his head above the debris. The other two managed to self-arrest on the exposed bed surface, but their snowmobiles were carried away.
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A separate rider from another group inadvertently rode into the moving debris and was also partially buried when the avalanche stopped. A third group at the base of the slope saw the snow give way and managed to escape as the slide surged toward them.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call about a “massive avalanche” and dispatched Grand County Search and Rescue to investigate. Rescuers arrived to find that all riders had freed themselves and were uninjured, though the debris field was extensive.
A Close Call That Could Have Been Deadly
The avalanche was classified as a D2 R3 persistent slab, meaning it was large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. The combination of collapsing snowpack and a weak underlying layer created conditions that, under slightly different circumstances, could have led to fatalities.
This was a major event that could have had tragic consequences. With multiple riders caught and machines swept away, it’s remarkable that everyone walked away.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Lessons Learned: Avalanche Awareness and Preparedness
This incident highlights the risks of riding in avalanche terrain and the importance of proper safety measures. Key takeaways for backcountry riders include:
- Recognizing terrain traps: Cornices are unpredictable and can fail without warning. Approaching too closely increases the risk of triggering a slide.
- Checking avalanche forecasts: Persistent weak layers, like the one that triggered this slide, can be difficult to assess and remain hazardous for extended periods.
- Carrying proper gear: One rider’s decision to deploy his avalanche airbag likely prevented a more serious burial. All backcountry users should carry beacons, probes, and shovels—and know how to use them.
- Traveling one at a time: Staggering movement in avalanche-prone areas reduces the number of people exposed to danger at any given time.
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