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Avalanche Accidents

The main focus of this section of our website is education. Much can be learned from others unfortunate mistakes. All of these stories are worth reading as they happened in the places where we all ski and ride. Each one contains its own lesson. These accident summaries were assembled by CNFAIC Forecasters or from the avalanche.org accident database, the "Snowy Torrents" volumes, and local newspaper articles.

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April 14, 2013 3 skiers caught and carried, two seperate parties, all ok. Surprise Bowl, Girdwood, AK.



June 13, 2012 5 climbers caught and carried, 4 killed. Denali, West Buttress.



March 16, 2012 Skier triggered avalanche on Eddies, Turnagain Pass. Significant injuries and rescue.



March 13, 2012 2 heli-skiers buried and killed. Haines, Chilkat Mountains.

March 11, 2012 Snowmobiler buried, revived with CPR. Kennecott, Wrangell Mountains.



Feb 11, 2012 Human triggered avalanche on Pete's North, Turnagain Pass. One buried, no fatalities.

Apr 18, 2011 Human triggered avalanche on Bird Ridge. One fatality.



Mar 19, 2011 Skier triggered avalanche on Hatch Peak, near Hatcher Pass. One fatality.



Jan 29, 2011 Skier triggered avalanche on Butch Mountain, near Summit Lake. One full burial, 2 partial.



Feb 13, 2010 Snowmachine triggered avalanche near Grandview, mile 45 AKRR. Two fatalities.



Mar 28, 2009 Snowmachine triggered avalanche on Center Creek, Turnagain Pass area. One fatality.



Dec 13, 2008 Skier triggered avalanche on Cornbiscuit Mtn, Turnagain Pass. One buried, no fatalites.



Feb 23, 2008 Skier triggered avalanche on Sunburst Mtn, Turnagain Pass. One buried, no fatalites.



Feb 15, 2008 Snowmachine triggered avalanche on Stock Bowl, Turnagain Pass. 3 buried, 2 fatalites.


Dec 29, 2007 Skier triggered avalanche on Silvertip, Turnagain Pass south. One injured, no fatalites.

Mar 17, 2007 Skier triggered avalanche on Pastoral Peak, Turnagain Pass. One buried, no fatalites.



Jan 3, 2006 Skier triggered avalanche on Raggedtop Mtn, Girdwood. One buried and killed.



Feb 28, 2004 Climber triggered cornice break avalanche on Byron Peak, Portage. One killed.

Dec 23, 2001 Snowmachine triggered avalanche at Palmer Creek Rd, Hope. One buried and killed.

Jan 1, 2001 Skier triggered avalanche at Turnagain Pass. One buried, no fatalites.

Feb 2, 2000 Seward Highway at Bird Flats, Turnagain Arm. Bulldozer operator killed.



Mar 21, 1999 Snowmachine triggered avalanche at Turnagain Pass. Ten caught, Six buried and killed.

Nov 24, 1997 Hiker triggered avalanche at Crow Pass, Girdwood. One buried and killed.



Jan 17, 1997 Hunter triggered avalanche near Swan Lake, Ressurection Pass. One buried and killed.



Dec 6, 1988 Skier triggered avalanche near Tincan Mtn, Turnagain Pass. One buried and killed.



Jan 21, 1978 Skier triggered avalanche near Taylor Pass, Turnagain Pass. Four buried and killed.

Jan 21, 1978 Skier triggered avalanche near Taylor Pass, Turnagain Pass. Four buried and killed.

May 10, 1975 Natural wet avalanche on 20 Mile River, Portage. Four hunters caught, one buried and killed.

May 9, 1952 Seward Highway, Bird Hill. One traveler buried and killed.

April 28, 1920 Alaska Railroad mile 76, Turnagain Arm. Ten rail workers caught, three buried and killed.

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