TCSAR Responds to Avalanche Fatality on Togwotee Pass

We are deeply saddened to report that a skier has died as a result of an avalanche on Togwotee Pass on Saturday, January 4, 2025. More details about the accident will emerge following an investigation by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center.

Just before noon on Saturday, Teton County Search & Rescue was called to respond to a known avalanche burial on Togwotee Pass. The emergency alert came in via iPhone satellite text-to-911, but it was unclear whether the avalanche involved snowmobilers or skiers. For anyone using this relatively new function, please include the nature of your emergency, mechanism of injury, and number of people in your party. Including that info can help first responders efficiently develop solutions to the problems.

Initial reports indicated that a group of four was in the Breccia Cliffs area when they triggered an avalanche. As TCSAR mobilized, the team learned that it was a party of four skiers who’d triggered the slide as they were ascending a skin track. The avalanche partially buried one skier and fully buried another. The partially buried skier sustained a lower leg injury.

TCSAR responded with teams in the helicopter, on snowmobiles, and on skis. The helicopter team lifted off but returned when weather conditions did not permit an air response. The snowmobile team was also unable to reach the party of skiers due to the challenging conditions.

A team of skiers from TCSAR approached the area on skins and were able to get on scene at approximately 3:47 p.m. They began to apply treatment to the injured skier and remaining members of the party. The volunteers also worked to begin recovering the deceased skier for transport out of the backcountry. The volunteers worked into the evening, skiing the injured skier out of the backcountry in a litter to a waiting ambulance from Grand Teton National Park. The team also skied the deceased skier out via a sked. This serves as an important reminder of how much longer a mission can take when the helicopter is grounded, and is another factor to consider in your backcountry planning should an accident occur.

TCSAR extends its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased skier.

See It Here: Photo Gallery & Video Presentations from WYSAW

We know how busy schedules can be. We also appreciate the enormous pull of being outside during one of the last beautiful weekends in October. So it’s understandable if you missed the Wyoming Snow & Avalanche Workshop, which drew an attendance of more than 350 people to the Center for the Arts on October 18-19.

And that’s why we record each and every presentation during the event.

We're happy to announce that the videos are now up online.  Each video is edited into individual presentations, and can be found on our WYSAW page, YouTube, and Vimeo.

With fresh snow on the ground, catching up on WYSAW is an appropriate kickoff to a safe and fun winter in the Tetons. 

We are also including a killer photo gallery from the event. All photos below by Zach Montes from Orijin Media. Images may not be used or reproduced without permission.

Season Finale from The Fine Line: "No Name: How Far Are You Willing To Go?"

Season 8 of The Fine Line concludes with a wild story that demonstrates how there will always be people who go right up to the edge in the Tetons, and venture beyond it despite the risks.

The story includes the keen perspectives of Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Anthony Stevens and TCSAR Chief Pilot Steve Wilson, and how they rescued local snowboarder Sasha Motivala after a traumatic accident on No Name Peak on April 12, 2024.

Please tune in for this thought-provoking conversation about risk tolerance, decision-making, and the lifesaving skillsets of Teton County Search & Rescue.

Produced by Backcountry Zero, Season 8 of The Fine Line is presented by Stio, with support from Roadhouse Brewing Co., Arc'teryx and KHOL.

Editing for The Fine Line is by Melinda Binks, with original artwork by Jen Reddy. The theme song is by Anne and Pete Sibley, with additional music produced by Ben Winship. Interview and storytelling by Matt Hansen.

Thank you so much for listening to The Fine Line. Find it today wherever you get your podcasts. And if you like what you hear, please leave us a review and share it with a friend.