Two skiers killed in avalanche in Utah mountains | US News

A third skier was rescued and taken to hospital after digging himself out of the snow.

Two skiers were killed in an avalanche accident in the mountains near Salt Lake City.

The men, aged 23 and 32, were swept away by the avalanche Utah Wasatch Range on Thursday morning.

According to Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera, a third skier was rescued and taken to the hospital after digging himself out of the snow.

The avalanche followed several days of spring snowstorms in the area.

Craig Gordon of the Utah Avalanche Center said about 30 inches of heavy, wet snow fell in the area during the blizzards over the past three days, which he said also brought very strong winds.

“As spring arrives, avalanche conditions can change in an instant,” Gordon said.

He also described the sight of the avalanche near Lone Peak as “very serious” and “steep” terrain.

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Lone Peak is one of the highest peaks in the Wasatch Range and towers over Utah’s capital city.

Its steep, rugged terrain makes it a popular destination for advanced ski tourers and experienced climbers.

The sheriff’s office said the families of the two skiers have been notified of their deaths.

These deaths bring the number of avalanche deaths in the U.S. this winter to at least 15 — which is fewer than the average of about 30 people killed by avalanches each year.

In January, One person was killed and another person was injured during an avalanche in Lake Tahoe.