Incident Overview

The skiers, who were part of a heli-skiing expedition, were airlifted to a remote area in the Chugach Mountains near Girdwood on Tuesday. They were swiftly overcome by an avalanche while skiing in the region.

Witnesses reported the avalanche struck around 3:30 PM local time. The authorities were alerted approximately 90 minutes later, initiating a response effort.

Search and Recovery Operations

Current estimates suggest that the missing skiers may be buried under 40 to 100 feet of snow. Unfortunately, the immense weight of the snow is likely to have resulted in fatalities.

Initial attempts at rescue were made by guides accompanying the group; however, they were unable to reach the skiers. Utilizing avalanche beacons, they pinpointed the area where the skiers were believed to be trapped.

Safety Measures and Avalanche Risks

Prior to the incident, the avalanche risk in the Turnagain Pass area, where the skiers were located, was deemed “considerable.” Due to safety concerns, search operations were suspended on Tuesday, but resumed the following day.

As search efforts progressed, officials planned to conduct an aerial assessment of the avalanche zone to evaluate conditions and develop strategies for recovery.

The Backstory of Heli-Skiing

Heli-skiing is an extreme winter sport where skiers are transported to the top of mountains via helicopter, allowing them to navigate unmarked or off-piste terrain on their descent. This high-risk activity requires careful consideration of weather conditions and avalanche forecasts to ensure safety.