3 skiers missing after avalanche hits remote mountain range in Alaska

Three skiers were apt killed erstwhile an avalanche swept them distant connected a distant upland scope successful Alaska, authorities said Wednesday.

The 3 big skiers were flown by chopper to the distant backcountry successful the Chugach Mountains adjacent Girdwood, a skiing assemblage astir 40 miles southbound of Anchorage, connected Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers said. 

After the descent caught the skiers, guides from the heli-skiing institution that the radical was with instantly tried to find the 3 missing skiers, according to troopers.

The guides utilized avalanche beacons to place an country wherever the skiers were apt buried nether 40 to astir 100 feet of snow. Troopers said the skiers were incapable to beryllium instantly recovered owed to however heavy they were buried.

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A chunk of crystal floats past the Portage Glacier adjacent Girdwood, Alaska, connected June 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

While troopers person been incapable to measure the site, spokesperson Austin McDaniel said they bash not judge the 3 skiers survived the avalanche.

A motion connected Alyeska Highway points to wintertime tourism businesses successful Girdwood, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Troopers said that "considerable avalanche risk" and constricted daylight prevented immoderate betterment operations connected Tuesday.

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The 3 victims, each men from retired of state, were clients of Chugach Powder Guides, institution spokesperson Tracey Knutson told The Associated Press. A 4th idiosyncratic successful the radical was not caught successful the avalanche, she said.

The exterior of Chugach Powder Guides is shown March 5, 2025, successful Girdwood, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Witnesses saw the men deploy their avalanche aerial bags — inflatable vests meant to support avalanche victims supra oregon adjacent the surface, Knutson said, adding that guides connected country "immediately issued a rescue alert and initiated rescue response."

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So acold this winter, avalanches person killed 15 radical crossed the U.S. On Friday, 3 snowmobilers were caught successful a descent that buried and killed 1 idiosyncratic and injured a 2nd successful Washington state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.