This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
For the first time in more than a quarter century, no avalanche fatalities occurred in Utah this past winter.
Utah Avalanche Center spokesman Craig Gordon said Friday that it was 26 years ago, during the winter of 1990-1991, that the state's mountains saw a season without at least one avalanche death being recorded.
Since then, the state had averaged four avalanche deaths per winter.
The Center (https://utahavalanchecenter.org/) will issue its final regular avalanche advisory on Sunday, issuing updates for the central Wasatch Mountains for the remainder of the month only when there is measurable snowfall.
"Avalanches are still possible as long as the mountains are covered in snow, so make sure to pay attention to warning signs like recent avalanches, particularly if they're occurring on the same types of slopes you plan to ride on," Gordon stated.
Ski resorts do not perform avalanche reduction work once they are closed for the season, he noted, so skiers need to exercise special care.
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