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Snowmobiler Captures Terrifying Avalanche Burial on Video

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 1:35 PM ET

Last week, a casual day of meadow sledding turned into a near-death experience for a Wisconsin snowmobiler.

While on a trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, avid snowmobiler Aidan Croft was caught in an avalanche.

Croft was sledding with a group of friends in North Routt, around Hahn's Peak, in terrain he was familiar with.

His GoPro captured him gleefully sledding through an open meadow before heading toward the base of a steeper slope. Croft remembers that he'd intended to climb the slope but knew he shouldn't do so alone, so he went to turn around.

He didn't quite make the tight turn and jumped off his sled into the snow. Seconds later, Croft was hit by an avalanche from the above slope.

Croft was buried upright with one of his arms against his chest and his head about a foot below the snow's surface. He was able to use his arm to punch out space to make an air pocket and get to his radio, where he called for help. About ten minutes after being buried, Croft was able to dig his head out.

Croft's friends were not able to ride to his location to help him, but another group nearby dug him out after about 90 minutes.

He was not wearing a beacon or carrying any avalanche gear at the time of the slide because he hadn't intended to ride in avalanche terrain that day.

An avid sledder since his youth, Croft had seen YouTube videos on how to survive an avalanche and knew to 'swim' towards the surface. CAIC forecaster Ethan Greene, who spoke with 9News, also said that Croft's full-face sled helmet likely helped keep snow out of his nose and mouth by creating an air pocket for him.

According to the CAIC's report, the avalanche danger was rated as Moderate (2 out of 5) on the day of the slide. It occurred on a north-facing aspect and was classified as a D1.5 soft slab avalanche that failed on a persistent weak layer.

Croft got very lucky and says he plans to put a lot more safety considerations into his riding now.

His experience also serves as a reminder that even if you don't think you'll end up in avalanche terrain, it's always a good idea to wear a beacon and carry a shovel and probe when traveling in the backcountry. It could save your life or someone else's.