SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – Rescue efforts for a skier buried in an avalanche on Saturday have been postponed until the morning.
It took place shortly before 3:30 p.m. in the Square Top area, near Park City Mountain Canyons Village, but not in the resort boundaries.
LAST WEEKEND: Sundance Mountain Resort temporarily closes due to avalanche
The friend of the victim, who was not trapped in the slide, was able to dig out the victim and make life-saving efforts.
However, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, the friend had to leave the area due to the extreme avalanche danger. This danger also prevented the province’s search and rescue team from reaching the area by evening.
They will resume the rescue effort Sunday morning with the help of the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Authorities did not confirm whether the individual was dead.
“This is an ongoing operation and no further information regarding the avalanche will be given,” the sheriff wrote in a press release. “Once we have contacted the victim, we will provide additional details.”
The sheriff also reminded those entering the country to be extremely careful – to be prepared for the right equipment, to avoid avalanche danger areas and to check the conditions at the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) website.
The UAC warned over the weekend about a high avalanche risk due to the current conditions. There is a weak, older base layer that cannot support the recent, heavier snow on top – which makes a recipe for an avalanche accident, experts told FOX 13.
READ / WATCH: Great avalanche danger in Utah hinterland due to poor snow cover
They all recommended entering the hinterland to avoid slopes of 30 degrees or steeper.
According to the UAC, Square Top is home to a notorious avalanche road in the Canyons hinterland … [the] site of numerous accidents and deaths. “
An avalanche appears to have been observed at Square Top earlier this week.
“Square was a sleeping giant waiting for someone to get out and ride, and today it finally happened.” – @UACwasatch observation log. pic.twitter.com/2KvrcCNUXe
– ššš”š§šš ššš”š§šš (@brian_schnee) 30 January 2021
There were dozens of avalanches in Utah during the winter season 2020-21, one of which was fatal.
This is an evolving story. We will update this article as more information becomes available.