Avalanche — Wasatch Mountains South Of I-80, Utah
February 19, 2026 · NOAA Storm Events record
Event narrative (NOAA)
Just following noon two children and their father entered a backcountry area by leaving the Brighton Ski area boundary west of the Crest lift. One of the children, an 11 year old female ahead of her other family members, traversed into the backcountry along an apron above Rock Garden towards the Mary Main bowl at which time bystanders on the ridge reported that an avalanche released above her. She was reported to have been caught and carried over 200 feet, becoming buried just downhill of a tree. Bystanders quickly called Brighton Ski Patrol and 911. The family did not have avalanche rescue equipment, and attempted to use phone location to narrow the burial location. With the aid of a ski dog, Brighton Ski Patrol located the girl roughly 17 minutes after initial burial. Rescuers performed
Other notable avalanche events in Utah
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.