Observer Name
UAC Staff
Observation Date
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Avalanche Date
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Valeries
Elevation
8,800'
Aspect
South
Trigger
Natural
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Avalanche Problem
New Snow
Vertical
600'
Caught
5
Carried
5
Buried - Partly
6
Comments
Reported that three cars were hit with 5-6 passengers total involved- no one was injured. Cars were all partially buried.
ALTA — Crews are responding to an avalanche that occurred above Snowbird Ski Resort Tuesday.
About 5:30 p.m., Alta Central reported state Route 210 is closed due to an avalanche. Anybody on the road has been advised to return to parking lots and follow directions from law enforcement.
Snowbird spokesman Connor Giles said the slide occurred somewhere above Snowbird in between Snowbird and Alta. Two cars were involved in the slide, he added.
Salt Lake County sheriff's detective Arland Bennett said there are no known injuries due to the slide that happened about 5:18 p.m.
Snowbird Village was placed into an interlodge, where all outside travel is restricted. Everyone is encouraged to proceed to the nearest building.
Alta Central said interlodge restrictions was also in place for Hellgate residents. About 8:30 p.m., the interlodges were lifted and S.R. 210 was reopened for downhill traffic, Snowbird said on social media.
County crews will be conducting avalanche mitigation throughout Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning to make conditions as safe as possible for Wednesday.
SALT LAKE CITY — Little Cottonwood Canyon remains closed after an avalanche roared through the area Tuesday, partially burying three vehicles in its path.
Among those hit were Juston Puchar and Chris Leonard, who recount their heart-pounding experience during the unexpected event.
Puchar, who had taken the day off from his real estate job to enjoy the late-season powder, described the earlier part of the day as "epic" and "flowing." As they were leaving the parking lot at Snowbird, their day took a sudden and dramatic turn.
"I flinch. I'm like, 'Dude,'" Puchar said, recalling the moment something slammed into their truck. Leonard, seated in the back, added, "Next thing you know, the truck starts moving, and it's a whiteout."
The avalanche, powerful enough to pin their truck doors shut, also shoved a nearby Jeep 20 feet and turned another vehicle sideways. Despite the chaos, help arrived quickly. Both Puchar and Leonard expressed gratitude for the quick response.
"It's crazy how fast ski patrol of Snowbird and the sheriff were there right behind us, ready to help us unbury," Leonard said.
John Gleason from the Utah Department of Transportation confirmed the canyon closure as crews worked to ensure public safety. "We want to do everything we can to get them to where they're going safely and make sure they have an enjoyable and safe time," Gleason stated.
Little Cottonwood Canyon remains a high-risk zone. Avalanche mitigation efforts will continue to ensure no further incidents occur.
For Puchar and Leonard, the dramatic encounter hasn't dampened their spirits. "Dude, it is snowing — it is just a nuke job out there," Puchar exclaimed, already planning to hit the slopes again Wednesday.
With their story of survival, these skiers are proving that passion for the mountains endures even in the face of nature's fury.
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