In a devastating incident, two skiers lost their lives while another was miraculously rescued after being buried in an avalanche in Lone Peak, located in the mountains outside Salt Lake City. The avalanche occurred on Thursday, following several days of spring snowstorms in the area.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff, Rosie Rivera, reported that the avalanche was reported near Lone Peak in the Wasatch Range, prompting an immediate response from the rescue team shortly after 10 a.m. While one of the skiers managed to dig himself out of the snow and was rescued by midday, the rescue team in a helicopter confirmed the unfortunate deaths of the other two skiers.

The victims, aged 23 and 32, have not been identified yet, as their names have not been released. Conditions were deemed too hazardous on Thursday to recover their bodies, with recovery efforts scheduled for Friday morning, subject to weather conditions.

Sheriff Rivera revealed that the rescued skier, who was the one to call for help, is currently being treated at the hospital, where officers are gathering more information about the incident. The skiers had hiked into the area in the morning before the avalanche struck.

Craig Gordon, a representative from the Utah Avalanche Center, explained that the area had received approximately 2.5 feet (76 centimeters) of heavy, wet snow over the past three days. Gordon expressed that it would have required a high level of experience for the skiers to venture into such treacherous terrain.

This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved in backcountry skiing, particularly during unstable weather conditions. As the recovery efforts continue, the community mourns the loss of two lives and hopes for the speedy recovery of the rescued skier.