Skier injured in Sun Valley-area avalanche

An avalanche in the Warm Springs Creek drainage, in an area commonly known as the “Baldy out of bounds,” caught and buried a skier on Monday just before noon. The skiier suffered serious chest and internal injuries, according to the Sawtooth Avalanche Center.

The accident occurred on Forest Service land adjacent to but outside the Sun Valley ski area boundary. The avalanche hit a skier, causing him to collide with a tree. His head was also buried in the snow. His partner quickly found him and dug him out of the snow.

The avalanche was roughly 120 feet wide and traveled approximately 1300 vertical feet. The victim was well below the crown, or top, of the avalanche and was only carried approximately 450 feet.

The avalanche was likely triggered by either the victim or an unknown party skiing above him. The avalanche danger was rated high at the time of the accident.

The U.S. Forest Service staff from the Sawtooth Avalanche Center said human-triggered avalanches will continue to be likely in this area as the snowpack adjusts to recent heavy snowfall. The Forest Service is continuing to investigate the accident.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 10:34 AM with the headline "Skier injured in Sun Valley-area avalanche."