Skier Triggers Avalanche Near Fairy Lake

Check here for the latest avalanche warnings and forecasts from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

In the video below, a member of the GNFAC takes a look at an area in the northern Bridgers, near the Fairy Lake campground, where a solo skier was partially buried after triggering an avalanche. The incident occurred this past Friday, January 18 and illustrates how easily and quickly an avalanche can strike.

The slide broke 6-12" deep, 200' wide, and ran 1between 150-200 vertical feet.

The skier was buried up to his chest as a result of the incident, fortunately he was uninjured and able to free himself.

On Wednesday, January 23, Doug Chabot of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center warned that the avalanche danger will continue to rise as more snow falls into the weekend. He also said that the avalanche danger level in the greater Gallatin Valley area should be considered "considerable" into the weekend.