Avalanche Happens

Snow sports

Avalanches in Montana tumbled 14 skiers, eight snowmobilers, a snowboarder and a dog last winter without killing anyone - but the new season is just around the corner.

The Gallatin National Forest’s Avalanche Center reports that last winter’s snowpack was uncommonly stable because of almost constant snowfall from mid-November through early February.

The center’s advisories on snow conditions last year were consulted 37,000 times, nine times as many as in the avalanche center’s first season, 1990-91.

In 1996-97, two people were injured and three were partially buried by avalanches.

Skiers triggered 14 slides and snowmobilers started eight, the annual report said. A snowboarder started one, but no one was caught in it. A dog stepping on a cornice - a big hunk of snow with no ground under it - triggered another, but the canine escaped without injury.

Recorded avalanche advisories will be available by phone at (406) 587-6981 in Bozeman.