Idaho Avalanche Kills Two, Buries Five More


Yesterday morning, January 7, Silver Mountain Resort in Idaho was the scene of a series of inbounds avalanches that claimed the lives of two skiers and injured five others.


According to a report from the Shoshone News Press, Morning Star and 16-to1 were the specific runs affected by the avalanches. These runs had also just been opened after crews from Silver Mountain had completed avalanche mitigation work.

There were a total of three avalanches in the area between 10 and 11 o'clock in the morning.

Multiple agencies began the search and rescue operation as quickly as possible. The joint operation involved members of the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, Shoshone County Volunteer Search and Rescue, the Coeur d'Alene Fire Dept. K-9 Team, and the Idaho Dept. of Lands, as well as local fire agencies and the mountain's ski patrol.


The first confirmed death was reported early in the search, with the second coming at the end after the victim had been transported to Shoshone Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The identities of the victims have yet to be released. The five survivors that were rescued suffered only minor injuries.

Silver Mountain remains closed today, January 8. Avalanche danger is the area remains high, due to a large amount of snow received over the last several days.

Photo Credit: Silver Mountain Resort/FB

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