On Tuesday, three skiers were feared dead following an avalanche while helicopter skiing near Girdwood, Alaska. The avalanche, occurring around 3:30 p.m., buried the individuals under 40 to 100 feet of snow. Despite efforts from the guides to locate them via avalanche beacons, recovery was deemed unsafe due to the significant avalanche risk and lack of daylight. Officials expressed pessimism about the skiers' survival. The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center had previously warned of considerable avalanche danger in the region, emphasizing caution for steep slopes and assessing conditions.
Based on the information provided by the operator, unfortunately, we do not believe that any of the three missing persons survived the avalanche, Austin McDaniel, a spokesman for the Alaska State Troopers, said in an email on Wednesday.
The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center reported a weak layer of surface snow in the area where the avalanche occurred that it said was tricky to assess.
The safest option, it said, was to avoid steep slopes, especially wind-loaded terrain. The center warned that the avalanche danger was considerable at middle and upper elevations.
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