LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON, Utah (KUTV) — Forecasters said a snowboarder likely triggered the slide in the Red Pine area of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
There have been three other reported slides this month, and a few in October.
With the lack of snow in the valley and much of the canyons, many are wondering how there can be an avalanche. The Utah Avalanche Center said that if there’s enough snow to ride, there’s enough snow to slide.
MORE | One person dead, another injured in avalanche north of Alta Ski Area
They said Utah had a few early-season storms, including last week, that left some snow in the higher elevations. Much of it is above 9,500 feet and in north-facing areas.
So just because people might not be seeing snow outside their front doors, it doesn’t mean it’s not up there.
With resorts pushing back their openings, some people might be tempted to travel into the backcountry.
And, with the shallow snowpack the UAC is seeing right now, they’re reminding people who want to hit the slopes in the backcountry to watch out for hazards like roots, stumps, and rocks.
They said it’s a long season, so just be patient.
If someone is really itching to get out, the UAC said it’s a good time to walk around and pay attention to what it looks like now, because it’ll come in handy once we do start getting some snow.
“The slopes that are currently dirt and shrubs that don’t have any snow, that’s what’s going to be safe when we finally do get a large storm,” said UAC forecaster Nikki Champion. “All the slopes that are holding snow that are looking white, that are looking smooth, that are looking continuous, that’s what’s going to be suspect, that’s where we’re likely going to have an avalanche problem when we get these storms.”
Champion said the snow on the ground now is weak, which will probably lead to long-term issues when a storm hits.
She adds that the lack of snow isn’t uncommon, and they’re prepared to deal with it.
Champion said they’re tracking some potential upcoming storms that are similar to the last few storms.
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