Reader comments
Skier dies: Buried for nearly an hour by Snowbird slide
33 comments | Read story
Brucifer | 3:48 p.m. Dec. 14, 2008
Wow, glad I stayed at Solitude today. Hope that poor woman is OK.
skimom | 5:21 p.m. Dec. 14, 2008
Early season conditions apply---do not go into the steeps and certain terrain
until we get a solid base. The base is low, the layers are fragile--time to
warm up on the groomers and low angle stuff. Patience skiers, patience. Base
will happen.
skier | 9:20 p.m. Dec. 14, 2008
This just in: The girl that was trapped died in the University Hospital.
Comments continue below
Snowdaze | 9:26 p.m. Dec. 14, 2008
I was a rescuer in this slide using the pole technique. It was amazing to see
how quickly individuals in the ski community helped to locate the victim. In
bounds at ski resorts are not exempt from avalanche activity and it is
unfortunate that this happened. I commend Snowbird Ski Patrol for there efforts
in response to this incident and doing everything within their power to keep our
mountain safe!
sad | 9:52 p.m. Dec. 14, 2008
RIP Heather
Horrible | 10:51 p.m. Dec. 14, 2008
How could this happen inbounds? How odd. Makes you think twice about what is
supposedly considered safe. The anomaly can't be a comfort to those close
to her... As a member of the ski/snowboard community, I would like to give my
condolences to Heather's family and friends. I know words can't do
much to ease the pain, but know that we all hurt for your loss. RIP Heather.
Marci Vlam Draper | 11:21 p.m. Dec. 14, 2008
Heather, I love you. I want your family to know how wonderful of a person you
were. I am going to miss you. We had some pretty fun times back in high
school. I will always remember you and your cute laugh and smile! You were
always a great friend. I am so proud of all your accomplishments. You will be
missed by so many and I am just so thankful that you were a part of my life.
God Bless to you and your family. Love your friend..Marci Vlam Draper-BHS
sadsadday | 11:58 p.m. Dec. 14, 2008
Just shows you that avalanche education helps for inbounds accidents as well.
While inbounds deaths are rare they do happen such as at the Canyons last year.
It really puts a damper on the avalanche and skiing community and I'm sure
all of our hearts go out to Heathers family.
Rob | 12:44 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
I'll miss you Heather.
Dear family, | 12:51 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
We send out love and condolences. Sincerely, we are sorry for your loss. Much
love to the family.
Mr. Lee | 6:59 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
MY condolences to the family. I Lost my older brother 5 years ago in a slide
accident in the wasatch RIP ZSE. May your soul rest Heather.
Anonymous | 7:00 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
Very Sad, sorry to your family and friends. We can never be to careful. DNM
John C. | 7:25 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
Kudos to all those who went to her rescue...it is a risk we take but we never
want the results like this in the end..very sorry for the family, my prayers are
with you:(
Mike | 7:39 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
Deepest sympathies to the Gross family. No matter how good avalanche control has
become in the Wasatch Front ski areas (and its arguably the best in the world),
there will be accidents, its impossible to remove all risk from the mountains.
We're so sorry that Heather became the personification of that risk. We
are buying tranceivers for all family members to wear while skiing in-area.
Have been meaning to do so for years. Will do it now.
Anonymous | 8:21 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
RIP. A truely tragic accident. The avalanche hazard can never be fully
eliminated.
Mike: good for you. You can get good beacons to wear inbounds for under $300. Spend more if you want to go into the backcountry and are more likely to have to do a search.
Mike: good for you. You can get good beacons to wear inbounds for under $300. Spend more if you want to go into the backcountry and are more likely to have to do a search.
Henry | 8:37 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
What caused the avalanche? Its really pretty simple. Gravity pulls the
snowpack downward. Bonding within the snowpack and through to the ground holds
the snowpack in place. When the force of gravity exceeds the strength of the
bonding, the snowpack will avalanche (on slopes steeper than about 25 degrees).
Explosives are used in avalanche control in an attempt to shock the snowpack into avalanching. That happens only when the bonding is inherently weak. The failure of an explosive charge to start an avalanche doesn't mean that the snowpack is safe and well-bonded to the ground. It only means that at that moment in time the bonding is stronger than the force of gravity.
The bonding strength of the snowpack can deteriorate over time due to temperature changes, additional loading (more snowfall or wind-blown snow), or naturally occuring physical changes within the snowpack. This means that a snowpack that was stable in the morning when explosive charges were set off cannot be guaranteed to remain stable all day. That was the case on Sunday, and the resulting avalanche claimed a life.
Condolences to the family and friends of Heather Gross.
Explosives are used in avalanche control in an attempt to shock the snowpack into avalanching. That happens only when the bonding is inherently weak. The failure of an explosive charge to start an avalanche doesn't mean that the snowpack is safe and well-bonded to the ground. It only means that at that moment in time the bonding is stronger than the force of gravity.
The bonding strength of the snowpack can deteriorate over time due to temperature changes, additional loading (more snowfall or wind-blown snow), or naturally occuring physical changes within the snowpack. This means that a snowpack that was stable in the morning when explosive charges were set off cannot be guaranteed to remain stable all day. That was the case on Sunday, and the resulting avalanche claimed a life.
Condolences to the family and friends of Heather Gross.
sad but part of the deal | 8:49 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
nothing could have prevented this from happening and no one is to blame. The
girl that lost her life was not at fault and actually died doing something she
loved which is of some comfort. I'm sure her loss will be terrible to bare
or the Gross family. Sometimes things just happen in life and there is no blame
to be placed on anyone. Snowbird tried its best to make the slope safe but
sometimes nature decides differently and you just have to accept that.
Shelby Felix Hales | 9:26 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
I was so sad and shocked when I read Heather's name, and thought it
couldn't be the same Heather Gross from middle school and high school
headlining the paper today. Heather was so smart, sweet, fun, and had a great
laugh. I'm sure she's headlined the paper before for some of the
accomplishments in her life. I wish the best for her family and closest of
friends. Love you, Heather!
Sad Birdie | 9:44 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
RIP Heather - I did not really know you but knew who you were and shared a many
of a tram.
The Patrol at Snowbird is recognized world-wide as some of the best there is, this just shows you that Mother Nature is not 100% controlable and for those of who seek the adventure of searching for untracked powder know the risks... Best wishes to her family and friends
Ps. Go out and buy a Peep / Transciever today!
The Patrol at Snowbird is recognized world-wide as some of the best there is, this just shows you that Mother Nature is not 100% controlable and for those of who seek the adventure of searching for untracked powder know the risks... Best wishes to her family and friends
Ps. Go out and buy a Peep / Transciever today!
Susan Gross | 9:54 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
As far away as Boise, Idaho & Fort Collins, Colorado, my family grieves
Heather's death. We have sympathy for her family, and prayers for all of
us to carry on with life, in memory of Heather!
Katie | 10:24 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
Love you and miss you Heather. We've been skiing together since we were
three. I will never spend another day at Snowbird when I am not thinking of the
years of great memories that we shared together. I don't know anyone who
loved being in the mountains as much as Heather. Emily - I Love you and I will
always be there for you!!!
Anonymous | 10:42 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
You in Utah may be better educated. Back Country skiing, I've seen skiers
ski with no idea of the risk of avalanche. They will be traversing a slope in a
catchment right after a big storm. They will keep going after hearing a stab
crack under their weight.
My rule is; when in doubt, don't do it.
My rule is; when in doubt, don't do it.
Johny Fairplay | 10:47 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
Condolences.
Anonymous | 11:35 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
Real tragedy, a young and vital persons loss of life. A sincere prayer for her
family and also a valiant effort by resort ski patrol and other parties to
actually find and retrieve the body. Resort "in bounds" avalanche
activity, where control work had taken place that morning, and where public
skiers had been released on the slope, is WAY out of the ordinary and beyond
that expected in the Alta-Snowbird community. Statutes and "ticket
waivers" generally limit users negligence actions against resort operators.
An avalanche though, in bounds,(at Snowbird)is not an assumed risk, and in most
legal circles is grounds for a negligence and wrongful death action. (these
family decisions though can come later) Presently, I'm sorry for the young
lady and her family; what a sad, sad situation.
Laura | 11:40 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
This is such a terrible loss and so sad for Heather's family and friends.
Life can be so fragile. My deep sympathy goes out to those who knew her.
Barb | 11:49 a.m. Dec. 15, 2008
What a horrible tragedy. Heather, you will be missed.
Anonymous ????? | 2:22 p.m. Dec. 15, 2008
And by the way Mr/Mrs Anonymous (i.e. ambulance chaser), this is not the time to
bring up legal actions. Not every tragic event warrants a lawsuit. The men and
women of ski patrols throughout the world make every attempt to protect us and
sacrifice alot to ensure the safety that we are so privileged to have. By the
way, the last time I checked, avalanches, cliffs, etc... are inherent risk of
this sport.
RIP Heather !!!!!!!!!
RIP Heather !!!!!!!!!
@anon 11:35 | 4:53 p.m. Dec. 15, 2008
How do you control mother nature? Maybe suing God would suffice.
Michael | 7:36 p.m. Dec. 15, 2008
This is very sad. I am from the East and love skiing on the backside of
Snowbird (frontside is also good). But I have to admit that I have looked up at
times and thought, my God, it wouldn't take much for all the snow up above
to come cascading down. Anyway, I will be more careful in the future. Also,
the talk about lawsuits above is really inappropriate.
carl lipbalm | 12:10 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
i know snowbird did their best. sometimes its the hair that brakes the camels
back. its a mystery, snow and gravity. my prayers go out to her family. aloha
altabirdmn | 5:29 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
RIP Heather
Snowbird has probably the best avalanche control in the world. Its a reminder that mother nature still controls what you can do at the BIRD. Every time I that I go into the Eye of the Needle, I will think about her.
Snowbird has probably the best avalanche control in the world. Its a reminder that mother nature still controls what you can do at the BIRD. Every time I that I go into the Eye of the Needle, I will think about her.
Andy | 10:38 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I was a Snowbird on Sunday, but didn't realize what was happening until
about 2:00. I wish I could have helped somehow. My condolences go to the family.
Kelly | 6:03 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
As one who is alive because of the diligence and extreme efforts of the Snowbird
Patrol, I would echo the compliments on this site. Many of the members on the
patrol come back year after year because they care about their work and take it
very seriously. I am coming up on an anniversary of my own skiing accident and
give my condolences to Heather's family and hope they get some peace in
knowing the team of patrollers and rescuers gave their all on Sunday to help
her.
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