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Skier dies: Buried for nearly an hour by Snowbird slide

Wow, glad I stayed at Solitude today. Hope that poor woman is OK.

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.

This just in: The girl that was trapped died in the University Hospital.

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!

RIP Heather

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.

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

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.

I'll miss you Heather.

We send out love and condolences. Sincerely, we are sorry for your loss. Much love to the family.

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.

Very Sad, sorry to your family and friends. We can never be to careful. DNM

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:(

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!