Pro skier Jamie Pierre was killed in an avalanche on Sunday afternoon in the backcountry of Utah's Snowbird Ski Area, which is not yet open for the winter season.
Pierre is best known for achieving the world record for the highest cliff jump on skis, a 245-foot drop in the backcountry behind Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming for a film by Teton Gravity Research. Officials say the incident is a tragic reminder of why back-country skiing, and skiing at resorts that are not yet open and properly groomed, is so dangerous right now.
Pierre was reportedly snowboarding with a companion when an avalanche took the pair over a cliff. Pierre's injuries proved fatal while his friend was miraculously unharmed. Snowbird isn’t scheduled to open for the season until next Saturday, Nov. 19.
At least four other avalanches involving skiers/snowboarders ran today in Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon, according to the UAC. Alta, which is also not yet open for the season, has since closed to uphill traffic, the Utah Avalanche Center also reported on its Twitter account today.
"It's a very sad reminder to have to put out there to remind people that these are back-county conditions and people ultimately are not allowed on the mountain as a result of the resort being closed," said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal.
Pierre is best known for achieving the world record for the highest cliff jump on skis, a 245-foot drop in the backcountry behind Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming for a film by Teton Gravity Research. Officials say the incident is a tragic reminder of why back-country skiing, and skiing at resorts that are not yet open and properly groomed, is so dangerous right now.
Pierre was reportedly snowboarding with a companion when an avalanche took the pair over a cliff. Pierre's injuries proved fatal while his friend was miraculously unharmed. Snowbird isn’t scheduled to open for the season until next Saturday, Nov. 19.
At least four other avalanches involving skiers/snowboarders ran today in Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon, according to the UAC. Alta, which is also not yet open for the season, has since closed to uphill traffic, the Utah Avalanche Center also reported on its Twitter account today.
"It's a very sad reminder to have to put out there to remind people that these are back-county conditions and people ultimately are not allowed on the mountain as a result of the resort being closed," said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal.
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