Two skiers found dead after Colorado rescuers find tracks end at edge of avalanche

A helicopter searching for two overdue backcountry skiers near Vallecito spotted their tracks vanishing into the path of an avalanche, Colorado officials say.

Rescuers the two men buried in 4 feet of snow early Sunday, Feb. 26, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said in an accident report. They were reported missing after failing to return from a ski trip Saturday, Feb. 25.

A La Plata County Sheriff’s Office helicopter found their tracks just before midnight Saturday, the Avalanche Information Center said.

The tracks entered the avalanche area but none exited, the release said.

Avalanche center officials planned to visit the site Sunday to investigate.

Avalanches have killed six people in Colorado and 12 people nationwide in the 2022-23 season, according to the center.

Avalanches happen quickly and catch people by surprise. They can move between 60 and 80 mph and typically happen on slopes of 30-45 degrees, according to experts.

Skiers, snowmobilers and hikers can set off an avalanche when a layer of snow collapses and starts to slide down the slope.

In the U.S., avalanches are most common from December to April, but they can happen at any time if the conditions are right, National Geographic reported.

People heading into snow should always check the local avalanche forecast at Avalanche.org, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, and have an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel ready.

Vallecito is a community of about 2,300 people about 330 miles southwest of Denver.

This story was originally published February 26, 2023 at 1:14 PM with the headline "Two skiers found dead after Colorado rescuers find tracks end at edge of avalanche."