Snowmobiler hit by slide below Skook Chutes

Two snowmobiles were caught up in snow slides not far from Whitefish Mountain Resort, but nobody was injured.

The Flathead National Forest’s Flathead Avalanche Center advises backcountry recreationists that the avalanche danger is considerable above 5,000 feet and moderate from 3,500 feet to 5,000 feet.

“Unstable conditions exist on sunny slopes,” their Jan. 26 report states. “Temperatures will rise well above freezing and natural and human triggered loose, wet avalanches are likely today. Deeper, persistent slab avalanches are also possible.”

The center advises that backcountry travelers avoid slopes with sun exposure and avoid being under this terrain, to choose low angle, shady terrain, and to assess the snowpack for deeper instabilities which could be triggered by loose, wet avalanches.

Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making is essential, the center advises. Natural avalanches are possible, and human-triggered avalanches are likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

A Flathead National Forest snowmobile observer checking out avalanche conditions at the Skook Chutes above the Canyon Creek snowmobile trail, on Skookoleel Peak in the Whitefish Range, saw two snowmobiles hit by slides on Jan. 25.

The observer had passed a group of snowmobilers headed up the canyon about 1 p.m., just east of the Skook Chutes, or Fiberglass Hill.

“A few minutes after we had crossed paths, their group split up, with several of them taking the upper road,” the Forest Service observer reported. “A loose wet slide that appears to have started at the top of Skooks Chutes moved downslope, colliding with the group on the upper road.”

The observer said one snowmobiler was hit, and the snowmobile and rider was swept downslope a short distance before stopping.

“Another rider saw the avalanche coming and was able to run back down the road, leaving the machine, which was taken downslope,” the observer reported. “The rider involved in the avalanche was uninjured, but did need some assistance getting out, with minimal shoveling. All parties and machines were able to resume riding and continue on.”

The incident occurred on a greater than 35 degree south-facing slope.

“There was recent loose, wet activity reported Saturday afternoon in this area as well,” the observer reported. “Roller balls, deep ski or boot penetration, or slushy surface snow are indicators that it’s time to move out of avalanche terrain. Keep in mind that even small avalanches can be dangerous in exposed terrain like cliff bands and terrain traps like gullies and creek beds.”