CAIC

Avalanche Details

Location: Marvin’s West, East Vail backcountry southeast of Vail
State: Colorado
Date: 2021/02/04
Time: 12:00 AM (Estimated)
Summary Description: 1 skier caught and killed
Primary Activity: Sidecountry Rider
Primary Travel Mode: Ski

Number

Caught: 0
Fully Buried: 0
Injured: 0
Killed: 1

Avalanche

Type: --
Trigger: --
Trigger (subcode): --
Size - Relative to Path: --
Size - Destructive Force: --
Sliding Surface: --

Site

Slope Aspect: E
Site Elevation: 11450 ft
Slope Angle: --
Slope Characteristic: --

Accident Summary

PRELIMINARY: A skier was caught and killed in an avalanche in the backcountry south of Vail on February 4. The skier exited the Vail Ski Area through a backcountry access gate. The skier was in an area known as Marvin’s when the avalanche occurred. Companions and other riders in the area found the skier. They performed resuscitation efforts but were unsuccessful. The avalanche occurred on an east-facing slope below treeline. Rescuers estimated the avalanche as 700 feet wide, and it ran 1000 vertical feet.

Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of the people involved. We will publish more information as it becomes available.

Media

Images

<b>Figure 1:</b> A CalTopo image of the accident site. The red polygon shows the approximate location of the avalanche. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/dbm6j35gnsifujpvgnts88un383x?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=b8dd96bada58d42194b61624c0feb605','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 2:</b> Looking across the starting zone of the fatal avalanche. Image courtesy Vail Ski Patrol (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/4c5sovvc2x9w7glv4wvgfjwja904?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=a71de287fbf757020dc3647ce8d60319','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 3:</b> Looking across the slope that avalanched, known as Marvin's, from Red (elevation 11816). The skier was buried near the toe of the avalanche, in the area circled in black. Image courtesy Vail Ski Patrol (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/lm9lktxz4ayu845h6qzm5exg2f4a?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=b974900d651b2e7b891b277fa275ffd6','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 4:</b> From the crown looking down the avalanche path after mitigation efforts to protect rescuers. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/s389fn7ywujcle0r2w3ny5k40cs0?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=46b8f3d7beaa03041ec9cf7e5c0fb5dd','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)