Avalanche — Gore And Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys, Colorado
December 30, 2012 · NOAA Storm Events record
Event narrative (NOAA)
A Snowmass ski patroller triggered a portion of the crown from a previous avalanche within the Snowmass Ski Area. The previous avalanche was triggered with explosives on December 27, 2012, three days before the accident. Although the December 30th avalanche was considered relatively small in size, it was large enough to sweep the skier over a cliff. The time of the fatal avalanche was estimated, and the actual event likely occurred within an hour of the estimate. A snowfall total of 18 inches was reported from Snowmass Ski Area within four days prior to the December 27th avalanche.
Other notable avalanche events in Colorado
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.