Snowmobile Triggered Avalanche

Avalanche date/time

Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:28

Estimated occurrence time of avalanche

Less than 12 hours ago

Number of avalanches in this report

1

The size of avalanche

2.5

Slab thickness

70cm

Slab width

64m

Run length

300m

Avalanche Character

• Persistent slab
• Wind slab

Trigger type

Snowmobile

Trigger subtype

Accidental

Start zone aspect

• NW

Start zone elevation band

• Alpine

Start zone elevation

2,100m

Start zone incline

31°

Runout zone elevation

1,795m

Wind exposure

Cross-loaded slope

Vegetation cover

Open slope

# Avalanche Incident Report

## Bralone Area - "The Books" | March 9, 2026

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On the afternoon of March 9, 2026, a group of seven snowmobilers were riding in the Bralone backcountry near a feature known as "The Books." At approximately 4:30 PM, while traversing a northwest-facing slope, one of the riders triggered a size 2.5 avalanche.

The slide appeared to be a wind slab that released on an underlying crust layer—a common weak layer interface that had been building in the area. The avalanche ran with enough force to catch one member of the group, carrying him downslope and burying him up to his neck in debris.

Fortunately, the buried rider's head remained above the snow surface. This outcome was likely due to his avalanche airbag, which he had deployed during the slide.

The remaining six members of the group responded immediately, and dug out their companion and extracted his snowmobile from the debris. The buried rider sustained no injuries. The entire group exited the area without further incident.