Skiers Face Nature's Wrath: Avalanches Strike in Colorado and California

In the world of winter sports, danger often lurks beneath the beautiful snow-covered slopes. Recently, skiers in Colorado faced this reality when they accidentally triggered an avalanche. On January 10, a group was skiing in the upper chute of the Haiyaha Couloir when a wind slab avalanche suddenly released. The snow broke off in a thick slab, carrying one skier down the slope and partially burying him. Luckily, he managed to grab a tree to stop himself, but not without dislocating his shoulder. The others in the group were also caught in the slide but were treated safely on-site. Following this incident, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) issued a warning. They reminded everyone that while many areas are safe, regions with deep or unstable snowpack can be risky. The CAIC noted that in places like the Park Range, Elk, and West Elk Mountains, the largest avalanches can be triggered. Even in other areas, smaller avalanches can still be dangerous in certain terrain.This event happened just as a major snowfall was forecasted for Colorado. Along the I-70 corridor, between seven and 15 inches of new snow were expected, along with strong winds. In just one week, over 139 avalanches were recorded in the state. But Colorado isn't the only place facing this danger. On the West Coast, a deadly avalanche also struck. On January 5, 2026, an avalanche near Johnson Peak and Castle Peak in Truckee, California, claimed the life of 42-year-old Chris Scott Thomason from Bend, Oregon. Thomason was part of a group of five experienced snowmobilers exploring the backcountry. Despite being well-prepared with avalanche beacons and a member certified in CPR, the rescue efforts failed. About 50 people, including the snowmobilers and Good Samaritans, worked quickly under extreme conditions, but Thomason did not survive. This tragedy marks the third avalanche-related fatality in the U. S. for the 2025-2026 season, according to the National Avalanche Center.