Officials say early February has been the deadliest week ever for avalanches in the United States.
According to data from the U.S. Forest Service National Avalanche Center, 14 people have died since February 1st, which is the largest number of fatalities the agency has ever recorded in seven days.
On Saturday, four skiers were killed after an avalanche swept through in a backcountry ski area near Salt Lake City, Utah.
Also on Saturday, a person died in an avalanche in Flathead County (details).
In Colorado, four people in total were killed last week in avalanches.
On February 1, three skiers were killed in an area known as The Nose, which is located southeast of Ophir, Colorado. According to the CAIC, four backcountry skiers were caught; one was partially buried but rescued.
One skier was killed on February 4 in an area known as Marvin's near East Vail Chutes. KMGH reported that John Kuo, 41, of Vail, was skiing when he was caught in an avalanche and died.
According to CAIC, 21 people have been killed since the beginning of the 2020-21 season:
- 3 in Alaska
- 1 in California
- 8 in Colorado
- 1 in Montana
- 1 in New Hampshire
- 6 in Utah
- 1 in Wyoming
