Northwest:
–On Saturday, we will be celebrating the life of AAI Guide Liz Daley at the Tacoma YMCA. Liz died in an avalanche in 2014. She is remembered through our annual Guide Like Liz scholarship and at Liz Rocks.
–SnowBrains is reporting that, “Three snowmobilers were in the Bullmoose riding area near Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, when one of them was buried by an avalanche in a fatal incident on December 30, 2025. The avalanche measured approximately 984 feet (300 meters) wide by 787 feet (240 meters), with a crown between 9 feet (2.75 meters) and 6.5 feet (2 meters) thick, according to Avalanche Canada. Despite rescue attempts by the other snowmobilers, the person could not be saved.” To read more, click here.
–Eagle Valley News is reporting that, “A Rogers Pass ski tour group got the slide of the year on Dec. 28, after an avalanche sailed a party member 200 metres down Avalanche Crest, leaving bruises and taking a ski in the process.” To read more, click here.
–According to a Facebook post, “Major rockfall on the Stawamus Chief main trail in Squamish, B.C., has led to an indefinite closure of the area. The incident occurred around 10:40 p.m. on December 26, covering a large section of the path with debris and destroying steps. Thankfully, Squamish Search and Rescue confirmed no injuries or involvement! The Stawamus Chief main trail and access to the Sea to Summit Trail via the Chief are closed, with barricades and signs in place. B.C. Parks and the Ministry of Environment are awaiting a slope stability assessment. Please avoid the area entirely until it’s safe to reopen – no timeline yet!”
Sierra:
–The Guardian is reporting that, “An avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada on Monday buried a snowmobiler in snow and killed him, authorities said. Rescuers responded after a 911 call around 2.20pm reported a possible avalanche near Johnson Peak and Castle Peak in Truckee.” To read more, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–A climber suffered a 50-foot fall on Solar Slab Wall in Red Rock Canyon last week. It is unclear how badly hurt the climber was. To read more, click here.
–A slackline resulted in four fatalities in Arizona last week. From AZ Central: “A fatal helicopter crash southeast of Phoenix involved a slackline, also known as a highline, which investigators say the aircraft struck before plunging into a canyon. The crash occurred Jan. 2 in Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior and about 65 miles east of Phoenix. Authorities said preliminary evidence indicates that a recreational slackline more than one kilometer long had been strung across a mountain range in the area at the time of the crash.” To read more, click here.
–Z107.7 is reporting that, “The Fortynine Palms Oasis trail and Cholla Cactus Garden trails will have limited access all Winter and Spring according to Joshua Tree National Park.” To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
–OutThere Colorado is reporting that, “A male hiker died in Colorado on New Year’s Eve after falling 100s of feet from 13,295-foot Citadel Peak, which is about 2.5 miles north of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial tunnels along I-70.” To read more, click here.
–The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that, “One of two skiers caught in the avalanche in Hidden Canyon, just outside of the Brighton Resort boundary, was buried face down and was rescued by a third party, according to new information released Monday afternoon by the Utah Avalanche Center.” To read more, click here.
–Fox 31 is reporting that, “The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a skier was found unresponsive and died at Keystone Resort on Wednesday. Deputies responded to the resort just after noon on Wednesday after other guests found the male skier unresponsive on The Grizz, a run in the resort’s Outback area, according to the sheriff’s office in a Facebook post. The skier was a visitor to the area from somewhere on the Front Range, though the sheriff’s office did not say where exactly.” To read more, click here.
—Two new ski lifts have opened at Deer Valley.
–The ski patrol strike at Telluride continues. In essence the strike is about the cost of living for mountain workers in exclusive and extremely expensive mountain towns. To read about it, click here.
Notes from All Over:
–The Times Leader is reporting that, “Gallatin County Search and Rescue (GCSR) responded to an emergency involving an ice climber who fell and was seriously injured near Hyalite Canyon.” To read more, click here.
–From the Associated Press: “Swiss investigators said Friday that they believe sparkling flares atop Champagne bottles ignited the fatal fire at a ski resort when they came too close to a crowded bar’s ceiling. Forty people were killed and another 119 injured in the blaze as it ripped through the busy Le Constellation bar at the ski resort of Crans-Montana while revelers were celebrating New Year’s Eve, authorities said.” To read more, click here.
–SF Gate is reporting that, “The Department of the Interior recently updated its “Void if Altered” rules for 2026, explicitly flagging stickers and other coverings as alterations that could invalidate the pass. The move appears to respond to visitors preparing to cover the image of Trump, which was set to begin appearing on passes Jan. 1 despite legal challenges.” To read more, click here.
–UnOfficial Networks is reporting that, “Alaska’s Alyeska Resort is offering free skiing and snowboarding to EMS, firefighters, police officers, dispatchers, doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers next Friday, January 9th, as a thank you to all first responders.” To read more, click here.
–Teton Gravity Research is reporting that, “The power of the Tetons was on full display this week. While conducting routine snow removal at the upper terminal of the iconic aerial tram, a snowcat triggered a massive avalanche on Rendezvous Mountain. The slide, which broke just outside the ski area boundary, revealed a staggering crown that averaged 8 feet and reached up to 10 feet in depth.” To read more and see photos, click here.
