Skier triggered Avalanche in Chute 5 at Tumbling NE5

Activity

Skiing

Terrain shape at trigger point

Unsupported

Snow depth at trigger point

Variable

Terrain traps

• Gully or depression
• Trees

Group of 3 on second lap. Skier 1 rolled into hourglass feature with good momentum and commitment to the line with no issues. Followed too soon by skier 2 just slightly left hit a shallow spot and got settlement that propagated wall to wall. Shallow lower angle trigger point did not move but steeper startzone nearby ripped to ground, 1m plus crown. Very large volume slid on icy ground quickly with immense force and barelled down to impact skier 1 still skiing in the feature and took them off their feet and was ragged dolled for 150m into 6ft high trees on side of main slide path where they were able to grab tree and self arrest. Lost skis and poles, found one ski nearby. No trauma injuries.

Very obvious outcome in hindsight. Many indications were overshadowed by great skiing earlier in the day. Poor judgement was responsible.