Local Accident Reports

5/5/2026 - North Mowich Glacier, Mount Rainier, WA

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, two climbers were traversing the North Mowich Glacier on Mount Rainier’s Ptarmigan Ridge when they were struck by an icefall avalanche. Both climbers sustained minor injuries, and their helmets were both significantly damaged by large blocks of snow and ice. After attempting to continue, they realized they could not safely ascend further and contacted 911. National Park rangers used a helicopter to evacuate the injured climbers from the scene.
NW, 11,000 ft. I-N-R1/D1.5

Fatalities: 0

5/4/2026 - Wilson Glacier, Mount Rainier, WA

On Monday, May 4, 2026, a pair of climbers departed Paradise on the south side of Mount Rainier to climb the Ingraham Direct Glacier and ski the Furhrer Finger. After safely descending to the Wilson Glacier, the duo, along with two other climbing teams, were skiing back towards the trailhead when the victim triggered a large wet slab avalanche. The slide tumbled the skier down the steep slope and buried him up to just above his waist. The nearby groups responded, provided first aid, and assisted the injured skier back to Paradise.
S, 8150 ft, WS-ASu-R2/D2-O

Fatalities: 0

2/26/2026 - Big Chief Bowl, Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, WA

On February 26th, a solo skier was caught in an avalanche in the Big Chief Bowl area, inbounds at Stevens Pass Mountain Resort. Shortly after 12:10 pm, the skier triggered the slide while traversing near the top of the bowl. He was caught, pushed into a cavity near a large boulder, and fully buried with his head about 1.5-2 feet below the snow surface. In the late afternoon, the skier’s family notified Stevens Pass Ski Patrol that he was missing and shared the skier’s phone location. Ski Patrol mobilized to Big Chief Bowl and quickly located the buried skier using a Recco receiver, then an avalanche probe. They extricated him after he had been buried for at least 4.5 hours. The skier was breathing and showing signs of cold exposure. Patrol transported him down the mountain and to an ambulance. He was treated for hypothermia, a leg fracture, and non-life threatening internal injuries.
NW, 5340′, HS-ASu-R1-D1.5-O

Fatalities: 0

2/19/2026 - Shoestring Glacier, Mt St Helens, WA

A group of 8 snowmobilers was riding in the Shoestring Glacier area of Mt Saint Helens. Around lunchtime, the party stopped together in a flat area around 5600ft. One of the riders made a pass in the terrain above without incident. The same rider then made a second lap, while one of his friends filmed. Another rider also followed. While descending the slope, the lead rider noticed the slope avalanching and reported it to his friends. Realizing one of his party was missing, he immediately rode onto the debris and initiated a transceiver search. He quickly located the buried rider and began digging him out. As other teammates arrived, they were able to reach the victim’s face. He was purple and not breathing. They performed rescue breaths, and he began breathing on his own. The buried rider eventually regained consciousness and was able to ride out under his own power.
NE, 6000ft, 2-3 feet deep, HS-AM-R2-D2-U

Fatalities: 0

2/14/2026 - East Face, Mt Herman, WA

A pair of experienced backcountry skiers traveled in the Enchanted Forest area of Mt Herman. They did not notice any signs of instability during their run. Skier 1 continued traveling solo in similar terrain. He observed one small human triggered slide on a feature that commonly avalanches, but other slopes in the area did not fail. He then traveled to a gully on the East Face of Mt Herman. On his second turn, the slope released. Skier 1 was carried into a tree and buried to his chest. With his one free arm, he was able to remove his backpack, access his gear, and dig himself out of the debris. After skiing roughly 300 ft downhill, the pain from his injured leg prevented him from traveling further. Fortunately, a nearby team of 2 tourers witnessed the avalanche and responded to help. They placed skier 1 in a tarp-sled and began moving him downhill. SAR personnel met the team, transferred the patient to a hard-shell sled, and continued transporting him to the parking lot.
ESE, 4800ft, SS-ASu-D1.5-U

Fatalities: 0

1/9/2026 - Longs Pass, Teanaway River, WA

On Friday, January 9th, four backcountry skiers were caught and carried by a large avalanche while descending near Longs Pass in the Teanaway River drainage. The slide occurred on an S to SE facing slope at approximately 6200ft. One member of the party was not buried. Another teammate was partially buried but injured. The other two individuals were fully buried. During the initial rescue, the team located one of the buried victims, who did not survive. Despite the group’s best efforts, they could not pinpoint the fourth member of their team. The party contacted 911 via a satellite device, and Kittitas County Search and Rescue responded to the area on Friday evening. Additional rescue efforts were postponed until daylight. Search and Rescue then returned to the site on Saturday and were joined by NWAC forecasters. The teams were able to locate the remaining victim. Unfortunately, neither of the fully buried skiers survived. Our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of those involved in this avalanche accident. 
S-SE , 6200 ft, Avg Depth 2ft, HS-AS-R3-D2.5-O

Fatalities: 2

Total 2025-26 Fatalities: 2

3/16/2025 - Red Mountain, Salmon la Sac Area, WA

A backcountry skier was caught and carried in an avalanche in a north-facing chute off the sub ridge of Red Mountain South (Salmon La Sac drainage). Prior to the incident, the party had skied a steep north-facing slope off of Peak 5085 and experienced no signs of instability. After a short discussion, Skiers 2 and 3 positioned themselves where they could see Skier 1 descend. Skier 1 triggered the avalanche on the first ski turn and was carried down 600 vertical feet to the bottom of the avalanche path. Fortunately, Skier 1 came to a stop on top of the avalanche debris and was uninjured. The party regrouped, and they exited the field together. The party reported the maximum crown depth of 18in/46cm and that the bed surface was recent snow. The avalanche slid on ice or rock in places within the chute. Little snow was left in the upper portion of the chute after the slide. The debris fanned out widely but was shallow. (SS-ASu-D1.5-R3-I)

Fatalities: 0

3/13/2025 - Mt Bailey, OR

1 mechanized guide and 4 clients caught, 1 guide and 1 client partially buried, 1 client fully buried and killed

Fatalities: 1*

2/28/2025 - Brown Bear Mine, Harts Pass, WA

On Friday, February 28, a group of three snowmobilers was riding in the North Fork of Trout Creek, south of Harts Pass. They rode terrain near the Meadow Campground and continued south to the Brown Bear Mine area. Two of the group members proceeded to an open bowl south of the mine. Rider 1 made several passes up and down the SE side of the bowl while Rider 2 was stopped on the slope. At approximately 12:25 pm, Rider 1 triggered a large avalanche while descending the bowl. Both riders were caught and carried by the slide. Rider 1 was fully buried. Rider 2 was carried through trees and partially buried with his head and arms exposed. Despite sustaining injuries, Rider 2 contacted Rider 3 via radio and then extracted himself from the snow. Rider 3 arrived at the scene and sent an emergency text to 911. Together they began searching with their transceivers but were unable to travel far due to Rider 2’s injuries. Okanogan County contacted North Cascades Heli Skiing, who responded with nearby guides and a paramedic to assist with the rescue. Rescuers located and excavated Rider 1 approximately 45 minutes after the avalanche occurred. The deceased and the injured riders were flown out by helicopter and the third rider self-evacuated by snowmobile. The avalanche crown was approximately 30 inches deep, and it ran on facets that were buried in January. (NE, 6,800ft, HS-AM-D2.5-R3-O) 

Fatalities: 1

2/26/2025 - Meadows Campground, Harts Pass, WA

On Wednesday, February 26th, three snowmobilers were riding in the Hart’s Pass area near the Meadows Campground. Between 8:00 and 9:00 am, rider 1 ascended a 35-degree, NE facing slope. The terrain was sparsely treed with some exposed rocks and steeper features. Riders 2 and 3 were positioned at the bottom of the hill with Rider 2 closer to the slope.
Rider 1 triggered a large soft slab avalanche at 6700ft on an NE aspect. Rider 1 avoided being buried in the slide, but the avalanche traveled into the runout, fully burying Rider 2. The snowmobile’s skis were still visible, and Rider 1 and Rider 3 located the site and excavated Rider 2, who was buried approximately 3 feet deep adjacent to the snowmobile. The burial time is unknown, but the rider was uninjured. The group then left the area to return to the Yellowjacket Snowpark, informing other riders traveling into the area of the incident. 
Avalanche Details: Elevation: 6700ft, Aspect: NE, Depth 30in (75cm), Width: 1000ft (300m), Weaklayer 1-2mm facets. SS-AM-R3-D2.5-O 0

Fatalities: 0

No Report Available

1/11/2025 - Upper Commonwealth Basin, WA

A group of four backcountry tourers was involved in an avalanche accident in the upper portion of Commonwealth Basin between Kendall Peak and Red Mountain. Details are still being gathered, but the accident occurred on a SW aspect at 5600ft. All four members were caught and carried. Two were injured. The party called 911 to request assistance. Search and rescue responded to the area and brought the victims to the trailhead.

Fatalities: 0

No Report

12/26/2024 - Darland Mt, Ahtanum Meadows, WA

Three local snowmobilers were riding around Darland Mountain after a significant storm deposited feet of new snow in the area. The riders reported very deep conditions and spent much of the day getting sleds unstuck. While working on a stuck snowmobile, one rider triggered and was caught, and carried by an avalanche. Despite deploying his airbag, he was fully buried in the slide. His partners immediately conducted a transceiver search, and a nearby group of four additional riders responded to assist with the process. The team located the victim and dug to his airway within 8 minutes of the avalanche. Initially, the rider was unconscious and not breathing, but he spontaneously recovered a short time after being fully extricated. The group reported he was buried approximately 3 ft below the surface but had no other injuries. The missing snowmobile was located nearby under 9 feet of debris. According to the group, the avalanche occurred on a NE aspect at approximately 6500 ft (2000m), was 2-3 feet (60-90cm) deep and 300 ft (91m) wide.

Fatalities: 0

No Report Available

Total 2024-25 Fatalities: 2

3/30/2024 - Mount St Helens, WA

On Friday, March 29, 2024, a solo splitboarder climbed to the top of Mount St Helens via the Worm Flows route. While near the crater rim, he triggered a large cornice, causing him to fall several hundred feet into the mountain’s crater. The cornice subsequently triggered a large slab avalanche. Based on visual evidence, the victim was caught and carried by this slide several hundred more feet down the slope. The climber survived this initial avalanche. With his gear still located at the top of the summit ridge, he then attempted to climb out of the crater. After exploring several options through the very steep upper slopes, he opted to ascend a short narrow sub-ridge. Clues suggest it is more likely than not that on this exposed slope, he triggered another avalanche that caused him to fall several hundred feet back into the crater. It’s unlikely the climber moved after the second slide. Climbers found the victim’s gear at the summit ridge the next morning and called 911. SAR recovered the victim later that day from the crater.

Fatalities: 1

3/6/2024 - Gunsight Mountain, Elkhorn Mountains, OR

1 backcountry skier caught, not buried, and killed

Fatalities: 1*

3/5/2024 - Jim Hill, Stevens Pass, WA

A party of three backcountry skiers ascended the north ridge of Jim Hill. Just below the summit ridge, they transitioned to downhill travel. Skiers 1 and 2 were highest on the slope, with skier 3 below. Skier 1 began traversing and made about three turns, when he triggered a small loose slide that initiated a deeper and wider slab avalanche. Skier 3 was near a group of small trees when the avalanche came from above and carried him down the slope. Skier 3 was completely buried.
Skiers 1 and 2 switched their avalanche transceivers to ‘search’ mode and traveled down the debris. As skier 1 put his transceiver on the snow for a fine search, he moved enough snow aside to uncover the gloved hand of skier 3. Skier 1 and 2 dug skier 3 out of the snow and uncovered his airway within 2-3 minutes of the initial burial.

Fatalities: 0

3/1/2024 - Darland Mountain, Ahtanum Meadows, WA

On Friday, March 1, 2024, two snowmobilers were riding on Darland Mountain in Ahtanum Meadows State Park. At around 10:30 am, the pair moved to an area locally known as Hidden Bowl. Rider 1 first attempted to climb the slope and returned to near the base of the feature. Rider 2 then attempted to climb the bowl when he triggered an avalanche. He was caught, buried, and killed in the avalanche.

Fatalities: 1

1/28/2024 - Mission Ridge Ski Area, WA

At approximately 12:00 pm on Sunday, January 28th, the second skier in a group of three triggered an avalanche near the top of Nertz run within the Mission Ridge Ski Area. One skier was caught, carried, lost their skis, and sustained a knee injury. However, they were able to self-extricate from the debris. The two other members of the party were not caught by the slide. Patrol closed the area and performed visual, transceiver, probe line, Recco, and dog team searches of the debris. No other people were involved in the event. The wet slab avalanche failed on old crust and facet layers, including the December 30th crust, Solstice Crust, depth hoar, and the ground in places.

Fatalities: 0

Total 2023-24 Fatalities: 3*

3/15/2023 - Paulina Peak, Deschutes Co, OR

On March 15th, a snowboarder descending Paulina Peak triggered an avalanche. There were three members of the team. One sustained fatal injuries despite hours of resuscitation efforts. The other two members of the party were unharmed. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was notified of the accident and conducted recovery efforts.

Fatalities: 1*

3/15/2026 - Slate Mt, WA

On Wednesday, March 15, two backcountry skiers were traveling on Slate Mt in the Mt Baker backcountry. The avalanche occurred soon after the first skier began his descent of the SE face. He was caught and carried by the slide and sustained significant traumatic injuries. His partner initiated rescue efforts, which ultimately included a helicopter evacuating the severely injured skier from the scene and transporting him to the hospital. (S-SE, ~6100ft).

Fatalities: 0

3/2/2023 - Black Crater, Three Sisters Wilderness, OR

Two backcountry skiers were skiing in the caldera on Black Crater when they triggered a slab avalanche. Skier #1 was caught and carried by the slide. Skier #2 used his avalanche safety gear (avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe) to locate Skier #1 and performed life-saving measures. However, Skier #1 succumbed to his injuries.

Fatalities: 1*

2/26/2023 - Bearpaw Mt, Canyon Creek Area, WA

3 backcountry travelers in the Bearpaw Mt area of Canyon Creek snowmobiled to a ridgeline before transitioning to ski/ride. On their second lap, the first person on the slope triggered a large slab avalanche on WNW aspect around 5600′. The skier pulled his airbag’s trigger, but the airbag did not deploy and he was carried downhill. Initially, the skier was not deeply buried. However, a second wave of debris, “possibly hangfire or additional sluff,” buried him more deeply. The skier was buried upright and was able to punch his hand toward the surface and call for help. The two snowboarders in the group quickly arrived on the scene and dug him out. The injured party’s head was 2-3 ft beneath the snow surface. The other riders splinted his injured leg and extricated the skier down to lower-angle terrain. The party evacuated the skier by snowmobile and he received additional medical care. The skier sustained several orthopedic injuries.

Fatalities: 0

2/24/2023 - Chair Peak, WA

A solo backcountry tourer triggered an avalanche while skinning across an unsupported bench above the Cache Couloir on the north side of Chair Peak. He was caught by the slide and carried over a large cliff band. He came to rest in the bottom of the couloir just above Snow Lake. Nearby parties heard his yells, responded to the accident, and provided first aid care. King County Sheriff’s Office/ Medic One Helicopter evacuated the injured party from the scene.

Fatalities: 0

2/19/2023 - Colchuck Peak

A group of six climbers attempted to climb the Northeast Couloir route on Colchuck Peak. At approximately 1:15pm, while ascending the route, the lead climber triggered a slab avalanche that caught and carried four members of the team approximately 1000ft to the base of the climb. Three of the climbers suffered fatal traumatic injuries, and a fourth sustained lower extremity injuries. The remaining climbers attempted to evacuate all individuals but were unsuccessful. Subsequent natural avalanches impacted the accident site in the hours following the event. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the accident on Monday, February 20th. Chelan County Mountain Rescue traveled to the site and assisted the injured party member to the trailhead.

Fatalities: 3

2/12/2023 - Josephine Lake, Stevens Pass Area, WA

Two groups of skiers met up on the skin track and headed towards a northeast aspect on Point 5463, just north of Josephine Lake. One skier descended without incident. The second skier cut over a convexity on the steep, unsupported slope and triggered the avalanche. The slide released well above the second skier, who was carried roughly 200ft downslope and buried next to a couple of small fir trees. The skier was positioned horizontally, head downslope, airway under the debris, and boots above the surface. The skier had a small air pocket. It took the party roughly 10 minutes to extract the skier. They initiated the search with transceivers and saw the victim’s boots as they got closer. No injuries were reported other than a bruised leg. The skier lost skis and a pole in the slide, but they were recovered, and the group self-evacuated. An investigation and crown profile revealed that the avalanche (HS-ASu-R2-D2-O) ran on a thin layer of rounds and rounding facets (0.5mm) immediately above a crust believed to have been buried on January 15th (MLK crust). The crown was approximately 30m wide, averaged 80cm deep, and ran roughly 600 vertical feet.

Fatalities: 0

No Report Available

1/22/2023 - Mt St Helens, WA

On Sunday, January 22, 2023, a group of 8 riders departed the Marble Mt SnoPark on the south side of Mt St Helens en route to the Plains of Abraham. The group was spread out over a few small drainages playing on different slopes and features as they traveled. Around 9:50am the lead rider was traversing across a steep side slope when he triggered an avalanche. The slide broke 10-15ft above him, carried him down the slope, and buried him under approximately 6 ft of snow. Another member of the group witnessed the event and radioed his teammates for help. Six other riders converged on the scene. The buried victim was located with a transceiver and probe. The group then quickly dug out their teammate, uncovering him 10-15 min after the slide occurred. The victim was reported as cyanotic and not breathing. However, after a few moments, he spontaneously began breathing on his own and ultimately regained consciousness. The party located his snowmobile buried under approximately 10ft of snow. The rider was taken to the hospital for evaluation but did not sustain any significant injuries and was released that afternoon.

Fatalities: 0

12/2/2022 - Table Rock Mountain, East of Walla Walla, WA

Incident Outside of NWAC’s Forecasting Zone: On December 2, 2022, three individuals on snowmobiles/snow bikes were recreating near Table Rock Mountain and the Bluewood Ski Area, east of Walla Walla, WA. The group was traveling spaced out along a summer roadbed that traversed below an avalanche start zone. While on the road, they likely triggered the slide with the avalanche releasing above one of the riders. He was subsequently caught, carried, and sustained significant injuries. His partners were able to contact emergency services. A Spokane County Sheriff’s helicopter responded to the scene and was able to hoist the injured party from the scene.

Fatalities: 0*

Total 2022-23 Fatalities: 5*

4/5/2022 - Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area, OR

One of the most difficult realities of events like this is that we will never know the complete picture and are often left with more questions than answers. After extensive review, we are unable to conclude whether the snowboarder’s death due to asphyxiation was more likely caused by snow burial from an avalanche or immersion in deep snow. On April 5, 2022, the victim loaded the Silver Star Chairlift at Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area and made his way to a small avalanche path known as Patty Cakes in the Narrows area of Clark Canyon. The victim was found four days later buried under approximately a foot of snow in a creek hole at the base of the path.

Fatalities: N/A

1/7/2022 - Roslyn, WA

An 80-year-old man was fully buried by a roof avalanche in the town of Roslyn, WA on Friday 1/7/22 at approximately 1215.  His wife heard the event and called 911. Roslyn Fire responded and was on scene within 6 min of the accident. The man was quickly located due to a hat near the surface, shallow burial, and relatively unconsolidated snow. He was buried for approximately 9 min, with his head about 1 ft below the snow surface.  The subject was transported to a local hospital due to a knee injury but was otherwise unharmed. This event followed a four day storm cycle that dropped 56 inches of snow in the area.

Fatalities: 0

No Report Available

1/6/2022 - Hwy 97A, South of Entiat, WA

At approximately 4:30am on January 6, 2022, a large avalanche hit a house along Highway 97A above the Columbia River, south of Entiat. Avalanche debris damaged the front door and both garage doors. Debris came into the house and into the garage. Cosmetic damage occurred to a section of gutter and roof. A sedan was slightly damaged when it was hit while parked in front of the house and fully buried. The residents were unharmed and were evacuated from the scene safely. The avalanche (SS-N-R3-D2.5-O/G) had a wide starting zone that encompassed SE-E-NE aspects. Crown dimensions were estimated at a width of 1500ft, with an average crown depth of 16”. The avalanche started at around 2,600ft and ran down to the house at 820ft. The avalanche likely failed on depth hoar near the ground. The residents had constructed a diversion berm uphill of the house which was overrun by the avalanche. In the 30 years they had owned the property, the owners had never observed avalanches. The house was built in 2014. News article in Wenatchee World.

Fatalities: 0

No Report Available

1/2/2022 - Back Bowls, Alpental Resort, WA

On Sunday morning, a group of five skiers traveled along the high traverse within the Back Bowls area of the Alpental Ski Resort. The skiers traveled one at a time and regrouped partway along the traverse at a stand of trees. Shortly after the second skier left the trees and continued along the traverse, a natural avalanche released below the cliffs directly above the traverse and hit the two lead skiers. The first skier was knocked over and tumbled a few times before regaining his feet and skiing out of harm’s way. The second skier was hit directly and carried about 200 vertical ft. He was completely buried except for his hand. The three skiers still in the stand of trees were able to see the buried individual’s hand and quickly responded. They cleared the buried skier’s airway and excavated him within 5 min. The buried skier’s head was aimed downhill and buried under a foot of snow while his feet were under 4 feet of snow. Neither individual involved in the incident sought medical attention afterward. The avalanche may have been a Wind Slab triggered by natural cornice fall. Estimated details: HS-NC-R2-D2; E-NE aspect at 5400’, crown 18” deep/100’ wide; vertical fall 800’.

Fatalities: 0

No Report Available

12/11/2021 - Silver Basin, Crystal Mtn Area, WA

On Saturday morning, December 11, a party of six backcountry tourers was traveling uphill in a closed section of the Crystal Mountain Ski Area known as Silver Basin. The party triggered a large avalanche on an NE to E facing slope at approximately 6600’. While all members of the party were initially caught, three were fully buried. A nearby party of two witnessed the event and immediately assisted in the rescue. Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol was also notified and responded to the scene. Unfortunately, one of the fully buried victims did not survive. SS-ASu-R3-D2.5-U; Depth: Approx. 2’, Width Approx. 600’, Vertical Fall: 650’

Fatalities: 1

Total 2021-22 Fatalities: 1