A skier was briefly buried and injured in an avalanche in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, over the weekend, with the group safely exiting the area. The incident occurred in the Haiyaha Couloir near Lake Haiyaha, where a group of skiers and snowboarders were ski cutting the upper chute, triggering a human-caused avalanche.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), one skier was caught, carried down, and briefly buried under the snow. While attempting to grab onto a tree to stop his slide, he dislocated his shoulder. As other members of the group moved to assist, a second rider was also caught in a secondary slide, but fortunately, no additional injuries were reported, and the entire party managed to exit the terrain safely.
The avalanche was reported to have happened on Saturday, with details emerging through CAIC reports and subsequent news coverage. Authorities confirmed that the event was triggered by the skiers’ actions, emphasizing the inherent risks in backcountry travel despite the allure of fresh snow and favorable conditions.
Ethan Greene, director of CAIC, noted that while the current snowpack is lower than usual for this time of year, avalanche danger persists, particularly from wind-drifted snow and layers within the snowpack. He stressed that the incident aligned with forecasted conditions, underscoring the importance of checking daily avalanche forecasts before venturing into risky areas.
Backcountry enthusiasts are reminded to carry essential safety equipment, such as beacons, probes, and shovels, and to have a clear plan when recreating in avalanche terrain. CAIC provides up-to-date forecasts and encourages the submission of field reports to aid in community awareness and safety.
This event serves as a timely reminder of the unpredictable nature of avalanches, even in areas with moderate snow cover. With increasing numbers of people heading into the high country for winter sports, experts urge continued vigilance and education to prevent similar incidents.
Moving forward, CAIC will continue to monitor conditions and provide alerts, while local authorities may review safety protocols in popular backcountry zones. The injured skier is expected to recover, and the incident has sparked discussions on social media about backcountry preparedness.
