Intense search begins for missing skier after avalanche kills two, Idaho resort says
Rescuers launched an “intense search” for a missing skier in Idaho’s panhandle Wednesday after family reported that the person hadn’t been heard from since an avalanche killed two and buried several others on Tuesday, according to an Idaho resort.
The call reporting the missing skier came in around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and the person “has been confirmed to be skiing yesterday at Silver during the time of the avalanche,” Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg said in a Facebook post.
“An intense search is currently underway with Silver Mountain Ski Patrol as well as multiple teams and dog units from various agencies,” resort staff wrote. “Silver is closed for skiing today to focus all available resources on the search.”
The avalanche struck Tuesday around 11 a.m., according to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office. The resort said the slide was in the Wardner Peak area, which “a skier familiar with the area described … as having very steep terrain that is for experts,” NBC reported.
Five people were rescued from the snow on the northern Idaho slopes on Tuesday, deputies confirmed in an evening update.
“Our deepest condolences go out to all the family and friends affected by this tragic event,” deputies said, thanking local fire crews, search and rescue teams, ski patrols, volunteers and the National Avalanche Center for their help responding to the disaster.
On Tuesday night, Silver Mountain staff said they believed all the skiers on the slopes during the avalanche had been found.
“This evening, Silver Mountain Ski Patrol located an additional person buried in the avalanche. The skier was extricated and has been transported to Shoshone Medical Center,” the resort said in an update Tuesday evening, adding that “indications are all skiers are now accounted for.”
But that was before the call came in from the concerned family on Wednesday.
“Further updates will be given as information becomes available,” resort staff said of the renewed search following the missing person report.
The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the search for the overdue skier, saying that about 30 search and rescue responders “are actively searching the avalanche site of Wardner Peak.”
Silver Mountain said in a Tuesday update that one death was confirmed, but KHQ reported Wednesday that “a seventh person was located in the avalanche Tuesday evening and extricated, but later was pronounced dead,” bringing the fatality count to two.
“The slide follows wet, heavy snowfall over the past couple of days, which is also keeping avalanche danger high in the backcountry,” said Aaron Bolton of Montana Public Radio, according to NPR. “The resort reported 26 inches of snowfall in the past couple of days, much of it wet and heavy.”
This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 3:08 PM with the headline "Intense search begins for missing skier after avalanche kills two, Idaho resort says."
