Backcountry Skier Caught in Avalanche on Mount Washington

“This incident perfectly highlights something that we write about a lot in our forecasts: even a small avalanche can have serious consequences if it causes a fall in steep terrain with hazards below,” MWAC said in the post. “We are sharing this video as a way to show the potential consequences of accidents in Presidential Range ski mountaineering terrain. We hope this gets you thinking about terrain choices, consequence, and the potential for accidents even with a very small avalanche.”

According to the avalanche report, the skiers noted heavy winds before dropping into Dodges via Hillmans Highway. The avalanche was triggered by a skier who stopped near the top of a wind slab. The slab was 5 meters by 3 meters by 5–10 centimeters, and the skier was carried roughly 200 feet before self-arresting.

“A false sense of security was given discussing with others at (Howard Johnson’s) recent descents from that morning in Huntington/Tuckerman, sharing good stability reports and watching others ski chute as we made our way towards boot spur,” the incident report states. “We became complacent.”

Avalanche risk is moderate throughout that entire region as of March 4, 2025.

While avalanche risk is lower on the East Coast than it is out west, this incident is a solid reminder that even if a slide does not bury a skier or snowboarder, the outcome can be treacherous if there are objects in the way.

The MWAC released a video on November 29, 2024, showing a slide on Chicken Rock Gully in Tuckerman Ravine. While the slide didn’t result in any injuries, it was a good way to showcase just what can happen when the snowpack conditions are unstable after early-season snow.

“I think it’s really important for people traveling into the backcountry to be ready for dynamic early season conditions,” the MWAC’s Patrick Scanlan said to WMUR at the end of last year. “All it takes is snow to sweep you off your feet to hit rocks, or hit trees, and potentially bury you.”