One skier died and five others managed to get out Saturday from an avalanche that caught their group while they were in the backcountry of Crystal Mountain.
The avalanche, reported at about 10:50 a.m. that day, occurred in the Silver Basin area of the resort, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and a Crystal Mountain press release. The area was uncontrolled and unmitigated for avalanche hazards because it had not yet opened for the season, according to Crystal Mountain. The skiers reportedly triggered the avalanche on a North to East facing slope at about 6,500 feet up, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC).
All six skiers wore
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