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Little Cottonwood Canyon closed Thursday night because of an avalanche near Snowbird, the Utah Department of Transportation reported. Westbound lanes had remained open to allow traffic to exit the canyon until 7 p.m., when it was closed for the night for avalanche-control work. Shuttles and buses were allowed up the canyon until 7:30 p.m. to transport people, according to UDOT.

UDOT's Lisa Miller said the backcountry in the canyon had been closed to hikers Thursday.

Unified Police Lt. Brian Lohrke said the slide buried cars in a parking lot near the resort, but police had no reports of injuries.

The avalanche was first reported at 5:28 p.m., according to Snowbird, which reported three buried vehicles.

The road will be reopen Friday morning at 8 a.m., UDOT estimates.