Backcountry skier dies in avalanche at the East Vail Chutes
Colorado Avalanche Information Center
and last updated 2021-02-04 19:05:28-05
EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. â A backcountry skier died after being caught in and avalanche at the East Vail Chutes, according to the Eagle County Sheriff s Office.
The avalanche happened around 12 p.m. Thursday in the backcountry outside of Vail Mountain s boundaries. The backcountry avalanche forecast for Eagle County is rated as considerable, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). There are currently multiple Avalanche Watches and Warnings.
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According to the preliminary CAIC report, the skier exited the Vail Ski Area through a backcountry access gate. The avalanche occurred while the skier was in an area known as Marvin s on an east-facing slope below treeline. Rescuers estimated the avalanche as 700 feet wide, and it ran 1,000 vertical feet.
Multiple Avalanche Watches, Warnings issued across Colorado s mountains
Colorado Information Center
and last updated 2021-02-04 09:42:00-05
Several Avalanche Warnings and Watches are in effect across the state as more snow and strong winds start to move into Colorado.
Four zones in Colorado are under an Avalanche Warning as new snow and winds continue to overload fragile snowpack, meaning very dangerous avalanche conditions exist, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The chances of large, wide and deadly avalanches are high in the Vail and Summit County, Sawatch, Aspen, and Gunnison zones. These kinds of avalanches will likely happen naturally and will be easy to trigger.