2025 Chugach Mountains avalanche
| Date | March 4, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 3:30 p.m. |
| Location | Chugach Mountains near Girdwood, Anchorage, Alaska |
| Deaths | 3[1] |
| Non-fatal injuries | Unknown |
On March 4, 2025, a significant avalanche occurred in Alaska's Chugach Mountains near Girdwood, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) to the south of Anchorage. The avalanche buried three heli-skiers under an estimated 40 feet (12 m) or more of snow, with Alaskan authorities concluding they were unlikely to have survived.[2] The incident represented the deadliest avalanche in the United States since a 2023 incident in Washington's Cascade Range that killed three.[3]
Background
The avalanche took place in a remote section of the Chugach Mountains approximately 8 miles (13 kilometers) to the northeast of the Girdwood Airport, at a location along the Twentymile River within the Chugach National Forest. The victims were participating in a guided heliskiing expedition operated by Chugach Powder Guides, a commercial backcountry skiing operation based in Girdwood, where they were transported via helicopter to remote, ungroomed mountain terrain not accessible by ski lifts.[3]
Incident
At roughly 3:30 p.m. Alaska Time on March 4, 2025, an avalanche occurred during the guided ski excursion.[4] The three victims were all male clients from outside Alaska who were skiing with a professional guide when the avalanche occurred. According to company representatives, the men had deployed avalanche airbags to help them remain closer to the snow's surface during the avalanche. A fourth member of the skiing party was not caught by the avalanche, and was successfully evacuated.[3][5]
The avalanche deposit was reported to be up to 100 feet (30 m) deep in some areas, with victims likely buried at depths exceeding 40 feet (12 m). The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center reported that the region where the avalanche occurred was marked with a "Considerable" avalanche danger had been forecast for higher elevations on the day of the incident.[3]
Response
Immediately following the slide, three guides initiated emergency protocols and began searching with avalanche transceivers for the missing clients. Alaska Wildlife Troopers first received reports of the avalanche at 5:10 p.m. Alaska Time.[6] At evening, rescue teams detected signals from the victims' avalanche beacons, confirming their approximate locations. However, the rescuers determined that the victims were too deeply buried for immediate recovery. Rescue efforts were temporarily suspended due to insufficient resources and safety concerns.[3] The three victims were presumed dead.[2]
The following day, adverse weather conditions prevented helicopter access to the site, further delaying recovery operations. Additional snow and wind on March 5 increased the avalanche risk for the region, with approximately 1 foot (0.3 m) of fresh snow and strong winds predicted. Rain and heavy fog were also present at lower elevations. Alaska State Troopers planned to restart rescue efforts on March 6.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ "Heli-skiers killed by massive avalanche came to Alaska from different states but grew up together in Minnesota". Anchorage Daily News. March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nguyen, Thao (March 5, 2025). "3 helicopter skiers presumed dead after avalanche in Alaska backcountry". USA Today. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Thiessen, Mark (March 5, 2025). "Avalanche buries 3 skiers near Anchorage, Alaska, officials say". Associated Press. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Burke, Minyvonne (March 5, 2025). "3 heli-skiers feared dead in large Alaska avalanche". NBC News. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Matza, Max (March 6, 2025). "Alaska avalanche: Three heli-skiers feared dead on mountain". BBC News. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ↑ "3 skiers buried in at least 40 feet of snow after massive Alaska avalanche". CBS News. March 5, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
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