Avalanche Damage in Utah Canyon Revealed as Snow Melts
31st May 2023
Last modified on June 4th, 2023
Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City was hit hard by Utah’s record-setting 2022-2023 winter season. It has left behind smashed trees and destroyed buildings with a changed landscape.
The road through the canyon gives access to the two main resort of Snowbird and Alta.
Abundant snowfall caused numerous avalanches, which led to canyon closures that lasted for days on end in some cases.
As the winter snowpack continues to melt, the damage from those avalanches is now being revealed.
“I think it’s the worst I’ve seen,” said local, Tony Korologos.
“I mean, I’ve seen a few big winters like this, but obviously this is the biggest one we’ve ever had.”
See here for a report on local TV:
The resort of Snowbird in one of a handful of US ski areas that has some some slopes open we have reported here:
Alta has now closed.
Little Cottonwood Canyon. Image © PlanetSKI
More than 1,000+ artillery shells were used to trigger avalanches in the Little Cottonwood Canyon across the season.
The figures have recently been released by Utah’s Department for Transportation:
- Artillery rounds fired: 1,072
- Remote avalanche control (RAC) detonations
- Hand-thrown explosives: 110
- Full canyon road closures: 34
- Avalanches hitting the road: 98
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The season saw the most substantial road closure in the canyon’s history
The road was closed fully 34 times.
Little Cottonwood Canyon. Image © PlanetSKI
There were 1,480 hours of full canyon road closures, that equates to nearly two months of restricted access.
Not a single person was injured or killed traveling in the Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Little Cottonwood Canyon. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Image © PlanetSKI
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