Update: Sun Valley Resort halts, then resumes skiing on Bald Mountain; skier dies
Skiing resumed Saturday at Sun Valley Resort after heavy snow contributed to skier-caused avalanches and forced a halt to skiing and riding operations on Bald Mountain. One Idaho skier died, the Idaho Mountain Express reported.
Numerous avalanches were reported Friday as the winter storm dropped 51 inches of snow on the mountain, known as Baldy.
The Sun Valley Ski Patrol received a call Friday about a skier in the mountain’s Sunnyside Bowl and found a male who was unresponsive. Gregory Plowman, 67, of Hailey, was later confirmed dead at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls, the Mountain Express said.
The newspaper also reported that other skiers triggered three out-of-bounds avalanches Friday on the Warm Springs side of Bald Mountain. All skiers reportedly made it out safely.
The Sawtooth Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning until at least 6 a.m. Sunday for the Soldier, Wood River Valley, Eastern, Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mountains zones, including the Galena Summit. The high-danger zone stretched from the Stanley area south to Bellevue, Carey and the mountains just north of Fairfield.
“Heavy snowfall, wind-drifting, and warming temperatures have created very dangerous avalanche conditions,” the center said on its website. “Human-triggered avalanches are almost certain. Stay off of and out from below all steep slopes. Avalanches can be triggered remotely — from below, above, and to the sides of steeper terrain.”
No uphill traffic on Baldy will be permitted until further notice, Sun Valley said in a Facebook post. There were 80 inches of snow at the base of the mountain on Friday and 95 inches at the top.
Skiers were urged to check the resort’s snow report for updated information.
“Ski with a partner,” the resort advised. “Keep your friend in sight.”
This story was originally published January 29, 2021 at 9:04 PM.