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Fatal Avalanche Claims Snowmobiler in Utah

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Feb 4, 2025 12:28 PM ET

On February 3, 2025, a man was killed in an avalanche while snowmobiling in Utah's Monte Cristo area.

The man was a 37-year-old from Evanston, Wyoming. He had been snowmobiling in in the Whiskey Hill - Beer Hill area of Curtis Creek near the Rich and Cache county line when he was caught in a large slab avalanche. His friend was unable to find a transceiver signal to locate him.

The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) announced the incident on X (formerly Twitter) on February 4, 2025. See below.

We are sad to report that on 2.3.25, a 37-y.o man from Evanston, WY, died in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the Monte Cristo Area near the Rich and Cache County line. Our condolences to all impacted. Staff from the UAC will visit the site today to gather more information. pic.twitter.com/S7Z1LCpxdP
— UtahAvalancheCenter (@UACwasatch) February 4, 2025

The friend called for help which triggered multi-agency search efforts. Around 3 p.m., Rich County Search and Rescue was dispatched to the scene. Supported by Cache County, Weber County, Life Flight, Utah Department of Public Safety, Powder Mountain K-9, and a Black Hawk helicopter provided by the Diesel Brothers, Rich County SAR located the man, who had been fully buried, at 6:21 p.m.

The Utah Avalanche Center is still conducting a full investigation of the site of the avalanche and will publish a full report soon.

Avalanche danger in much of Utah is currently rated as Considerable. Current problems include wind affected snow and a persistent weak layer.

Both POWDER and Utah Avalanche Center send their condolences to the victim's family, friends, and others affected by the accident.

This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information is available.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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