Avalanche Incidents in Alaska

Unfortunately, as backcountry recreational user numbers continue to increase, the number of accidents also are increasing.  This list of accident reports is meant to be used as an educational tool that we can learn from, and hopefully not place ourselves in similar positions. A running list of avalanche accidents in the U.S, can be seen on the American Avalanche Associations website.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has compiled avalanche accident statistics since 1950.  Please see their site for a listing of charts and graphs organized by state, activity, user group, age, and burial depths of all documented accidents in the United States.

If you have a close-call or accident, please report it to us using the form below so others may learn from your situation.  If you wish to keep the details unpublished, we respect that, but would still like to hear from you.  Accident or “near miss” Report Form

2012-2013 season: 1 FATALITY IN ALASKA

130303 Haines 1 heli ski fatality. Summary <here>. More details <here>. Survivor story <here>.

2011-2012 season: 6 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 120613 Denali 4 climber fatalities
• 120313 Haines 2 heli ski fatalities
• 120311 close-call snowmachine burial, Wrangell-St.Elias Park near Kennecott 
• 120211 Close-call windslab avalanche, 2 skiers caught; 1 full burial, 1 partial burial, Turnagain Pass

2010-2011 season: 5 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 110525 Mt.Frances, Alaska Range 2 climber fatalities
• 110428 Ruth Gorge ice fall fatality
• 110418 Bird Creek fatality
• 110409 Thompson Pass skier triggered
• 110319 Hatcher Pass fatality
• 110129 Summit Lake near miss
• 110124 Thompson Pass near miss

2009-2010 season: 5 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 100529 Ruth Gorge 2 climber fatalities
• 100416 Thompson Pass near miss
• 100329 involvement (before competition)
• 100313 Revelstoke snowmachine competition
• 100310 Thompson Pass near miss
• 100213 Anchorage area, 3 fatalities: two snow-machining, one skiing
• 100201 Alaska Range near miss near Mile 192 Richardson Highway: friends dug out and resuscitated 1 person

2008-2009 season: 2 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 090418 Nick’s 30 Mile snowmachine fatality
• 090325 Johnson Pass snowmachine fatality
• 081201 Nick’s 30 Mile, remote triggered size 3 near miss
  

2007-2008 season: 4 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 080407 Vertigo Mile 29, Thompson Pass snowboarder fatality
• 080308 Cordova, avalanche forecaster fatality
• 080215 Turnagain Pass, 2 snowmachining fatalities

2006-2007 season: 0 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

2005-2006 season: 4 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 060228 Marmot Mountain, 1 snowboarder fatality
• 060214 Rainy Pass, 1 snowmachine fatality
• 060208 Flat Top, 1 snowshoer fatality
• 060103 Ragged Top, 1 skier fatality

2004-2005 season: 1 FATALITY IN ALASKA

• 050215 Mt.Huntington, 1 climber fatality

2003-2004 season: 3 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 040410 Gun Creek near Paxson, 1 snowmachine fatality
• 040228 Byron Glacier Peak near Portage, 1 climber fatality
• 040122 Roof slide at Portage, 1 fatality

2002-2003 season: 4 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 030415 Devils Thumb, 2 climber fatalities
• 030410 Verde Peak, Chugach Mtns, 1 skier fatality
• 030209 Hatch Peak, 1 snowboarder fatality

2001-2002 season: 11 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 020613 Mt. Foraker, 3 climber fatalities
• 020331 Mt. Magnificent, Eagle River, 2 snowshoer fatalities
• 020112 Coney Mtn. Cantwell, 2 snowmachine fatalities
• 011224 Mile 185 Parks Hwy, 1 snowmachine fatality
• 011223 Swetmann mine area near Hope, 1 snowmachine fatality
• 011211 Pt. Whitshed, Cordova, 1 snowmachine fatality
• 011111 Hatcher Pass, 1 snowshoer fatality

2000-2001 season: 4 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 010318 Summit Lake, 1 snowmachiner fatality
• 010203 20 miles south of Eureka Lodge, 2 snowmachiner fatalities
• 001219 South of Cantwell, 1 snowmachine fatality

1999-2000 season: 5 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 000408 Snowshoe Peak near Talkeetna, 1 skier fatality
• 000408 Summit Lake north of Paxson, 1 snowmachine fatality
• 000201 Seward Highway, 1 bulldozer operator fatality
• 000106 Cordova, 1 fatality
• 991226 Hatcher Pass, 1 snowmachine fatality

1998-1999 season: 12 FATALITIES IN ALASKA

• 990514 Blue Lake near Sitka, 1 hiker fatality
• 990430 Ultima Thule Peak, 1 climber fatality
• 990427 Mt. McGinnis near Juneau, 1 snowboarder fatality
• 990416 Talkeetna Mtns near Cantwell, 1 snowmachine fatality
• 990415 Cordova, 1 worker fatality
• 990403 South of Eureka, 1 snowmachine fatality
• 990321 Turnagain Pass, 6 snowmachiner fatalities