Three heli-skiers feared dead on mountain
Officials said three men died in fear after being attacked by a massive avalanche during a remote area of Alaska.
Officials believe the party was buried in snow up to 100 feet (30m) but the body has not been recovered after the incident in the Chugachi Mountains about 40 miles (65km) east of Anchorage on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Alaska soldiers, unidentified skiers were flying by helicopters as part of commercial tour guides. The fourth person in the group reportedly escaped the disaster.
If death is confirmed, it would be the deadliest U.S. avalanche, as three climbers died in the Cascade Mountains in Washington State in 2023.
“We are regretful to report the avalanche, resulting in multiple deaths in the West Forest of the Twentymile River yesterday afternoon,” Chugach National Forest Information Center said on Wednesday.
“Details of this incident are still emerging and we will share more information where available. Our sincere condolences are sent to friends and family of those involved.”
Alaska soldiers said skiers all arrived from other states to the mountains near Jedwood, close to Alyeska, the largest resort in Alaska.
The spokeswoman for Chugach Powder Guides brought these people to the tour, Tell the Anchorage Daily News Witnesses have seen all three deploy their avalanche airbags, which will inflate to help skiers stay on the surface of snow-deficient snowboards.
The avalanche is estimated to be about half a mile long, with the top of the mountain sliding downward by about 2,000 feet.
Using beacons (to send radio signals to rescue workers in the event of an avalanche burial, the guide can find “skiers buried in areas 40 feet to nearly 100 feet deep”.
“The guide cannot recover three skiers due to depth,” the statement said.
Rescue was cancelled due to limited daylight and increased risk of another avalanche due to the expected storm.
The National Avalanche Center says that 25 to 30 people die in the avalanche in the United States every winter.
