Identity of skier killed in Summit County backcountry avalanche released

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — The identity of a skier who was found dead on Saturday after being buried in an avalanche in Summit County has been released.

The deceased man is identified as Michael Janulaitis, 51, of Marion, Utah.

“We come to you with heavy hearts and great sadness this morning,” a post on X from the Utah Avalanche Center reads. “Michael was caught, carried, and killed in an avalanche while skiing a steep, northeast facing run in Hoyt Bowl.”

See a photo depicting Janulaitis’ run below:

“Michael was a friend of Utah Avy and we feel privileged for the time we got to spend together,” the Utah Avalanche Center statement reads. “This is a tremendous loss for our backcountry family and we will miss him deeply.”

Background

At around 5 p.m. on March 7, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an overdue skier. The individual was skiing alone in the backcountry area near Hoyt Peak — northeast of Kamas City.

Search and rescue teams responded and conducted a coordinated search for the man, but due to “hazardous and ineffective searching conditions,” a press release from the sheriff’s office states, authorities made the decision to temporarily suspend the search late Friday night. Crews resumed the search at sunrise Saturday morning.

During the initial search, rescue crews identified an area where an avalanche had recently occurred.

“It was unclear at that time whether the overdue skier had been involved in the avalanche,” the release states. “Due to extremely hazardous conditions, additional resources were requested to
assist with avalanche mitigation, allowing searchers to operate safely and effectively.”

Just before 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, rescue crews found the man — later identified as Janulaitis — deceased. It was determined that he was caught in the avalanche, according to the sheriff’s office.

“The Summit County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim,” the release states. “The SCSO extends its gratitude to Park City Mountain Snow Experts, Park City Mountain RECCO, the Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau, the Utah Avalanche Center, and the Wasatch Backcountry Rescue Team for their invaluable assistance in the search and recovery efforts.”