Rise in Utah Avalanche Deaths

17th June 2025

There were five deaths last season – up from two in the previous season of 2023/24.

It is the highest number of avalanche fatalities in four years.

A persistent weak layer in the snowpack was the cause according to the Utah Avalanche Center

There were more than 800 avalanches in the backcountry during the 150-day season.

That’s almost 100 less than last year and follows a winter that saw less snow.

There were 803 reported avalanches during the 2024-2025 season.

366 of those were human-triggered with 73 people caught and carried and 13 buried.

Powder Mountain, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI