Quick report
- Slope Angle
- 35°
Avalanche
- Slab Width
- 46 m
- Weak Layer
- Density Change
- Trigger Type
- Snowmobiler
- Vertical Fall
- 122 m
- Avalanche Type
- Soft Slab
- Slab Thickness
- 76 cm
- Trigger Detail
- Unintentionally Triggered
- Start Zone Aspect
- Northeast
- Avalanche Problem
- Wind Slab
- Start Zone Elevation
- 2713 m
We were teaching an on-snow avalanche awareness class for the Davis County Snowmobile Club. When we approached the small rise between Whiskey and Beer Hills to discuss terrain with the group, we witnessed a snowmobiler ascend directly up the middle of Whiskey Hill and trigger a wind slab avalanche as soon as he approached the wind-loaded upper section of the slope. The rider luckily rode off the slide and was not caught. This was especially lucky since he was not carrying a transceiver, probe, or shovel. Note that this rider was not part of our class. On January 8, a snowpit was dug just north of the base of this slope.
This was a great learning opportunity to discuss with the class terrain. Beer Hill just to the north (the site of a 2025 avalanche fatality) got ridden hard and did not slide.
Photo 1 is a photo of the avalanche from where we watched it.
Photo 2 is the same photo annotated.
Photo 3 shows the crown and a small area the slide stepped down from our snow pit location.
Photo 4 shows the debris.
Photo 5 shows the extensive tracks on Beer Hill with the Whiskey Hill avalanche in the background.