An avalanche killed a snowmobiler near Wolf Creek Pass earlier this week. With the recent snows, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center says there's increased avalanche danger.
This is the fifteenth avalanche fatality this winter across the U.S., and the second in Colorado.
Ethan Green, Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, says the number of avalanche deaths this winter is on par with previous years, but adds recent weather is cause for caution.
"We've had some pretty big snowstorms, that's a good setup for avalanches," says Green. "It's also a good setup for recreation, which means that people want to get out there and enjoy these conditions, and unfortunately in some circumstances, that turns into tragic results."
Green says while it's important to have proper gear, the best defense is training and knowing the avalanche forecast. Danger levels are currently at a three out of five on the center's scale.
You can monitor avalanche conditions at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's website.
