BEND, Ore. – Two backcountry skiers were tragically killed in an avalanche near a snowmobile trail west of Bend, Oregon, on Monday. The incident occurred in a location known as Happy Valley, located at an elevation of 6,700 feet in the Cascade Mountains. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), the skiers were buried in a D2 avalanche amid “moderate to considerable” avalanche danger in the region.
Sheriff Kent van der Kamp confirmed that the search for the pair began after friends reported them overdue from a recreational outing. The skiers had planned to snowmobile into the area to access the backcountry and ski. When they failed to return home, family and friends used cellphone pings to track their location. The group found one of the victims buried in an avalanche debris field and immediately contacted authorities.
DCSO Search and Rescue teams responded to the scene around midnight and, after a careful assessment of the avalanche danger, located the two deceased skiers around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning. Due to the risk of triggering a second avalanche, recovery efforts were delayed until sunrise. At that time, the bodies were safely recovered and brought to a waiting funeral home.
The Central Oregon Avalanche Center confirmed that the avalanche was a D2 “storm slab” avalanche, which is considered significant in its potential to cause harm or bury individuals. The avalanche occurred on a south-facing slope at 6,700 feet. The crown of the avalanche averaged 45 cm, and it ran 320 vertical feet into a clump of trees. The weak layer in the snowpack, which contributed to the avalanche, was identified as a 4-finger hard layer of preserved precipitation particles and decomposing snow fragments.
While the exact trigger of the avalanche remains under investigation, it is suspected that the skiers may have unintentionally triggered the slide themselves. In a preliminary report, the Avalanche Center stressed that a D2 avalanche requires caution, and travelers in such conditions should carefully assess the risks before venturing into the backcountry.
The identities of the deceased skiers have not yet been released, pending family notifications. In a statement, Sheriff van der Kamp expressed his condolences, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the couple who lost their lives in the avalanche while enjoying the Central Oregon backcountry. Their long history in our community and the lives they touched are a testament to the spirit and resilience that make Central Oregon such a special place to live.”
The loss has shaken the Central Oregon community, where the couple was well-known. The Central Oregon Avalanche Center posted a heartfelt message on social media, offering condolences to the families of the victims. “As longtime residents of Central Oregon, they have touched many lives, and their legacy will continue to live on in our community,” the post read.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in backcountry recreation, particularly in areas with high avalanche risks. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Central Oregon Avalanche Center continue to emphasize the importance of safety and preparedness when venturing into the backcountry.
As the investigation into the cause of the avalanche continues, the community is left to mourn the loss of two individuals who were doing what they loved in the beautiful but perilous terrain of the Cascades.
