1 dead, 1 injured after avalanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Update, 2/9:

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Officials provided more information about the deadly avalanche that left one man dead and another injured on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Officials with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office told ABC4.com that the body of the man who died — identified only as a man in his 50s — was recovered and taken to the Medical Examiner’s office as of Sunday.

The other skier, also in his 50s, was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. There was no further update on his condition as of Feb. 9.

Original story: At least 1 person dead after avalanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — At least one person is confirmed dead after an avalanche near the Alta area on Saturday afternoon.

According to officials with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the avalanche occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 8. Both of the individuals involved in the incident have been identified as males in their 50s.

Officials said the cause of the avalanche was unknown. One other person has been taken off the mountain, but the extent of their injuries is also unknown.

Many areas in Utah were facing considerable or high avalanche danger on Saturday, according to the Utah Avalanche Center.

High danger means “very dangerous avalanche conditions,” and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended when there is high avalanche danger. Considerable danger means “dangerous avalanche conditions” — with natural avalanches possible, and human-triggered avalanches likely.

“Most avalanche fatalities occur at Considerable danger because the maximum interaction between people and avalanches occurs there,” the avalanche center explains.

There is no further information at this time.

Connor Comeau contributed to this report.