Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Ryan and Dodge Poelman experienced an avalanche while snowmobiling near Midway.
- Dodge Poelman was briefly buried but managed to dig himself out, fearing for his father's safety.
- Ryan Poelman, initially unresponsive, was rescued and is expected to recover despite injuries.
SALT LAKE CITY — A father and son's weekend snowmobiling adventure turned into a harrowing brush with nature's power when they triggered an avalanche in the mountains west of Midway.
Ryan Poelman, 48, and his son, Dodge Poelman, had been riding in the backcountry for a few hours when the unexpected slide occurred. Despite the danger and injuries, the pair remain undeterred — already planning a return to the slopes next winter.
Dodge Poelman recalled the heart-stopping moment that changed their day in an instant.
"Famous last words, right? 'One more time,'" he said, recalling his dad catching air over a crest just before the avalanche broke loose.
Watching from the bottom of the hill, Dodge Poelman quickly realized the danger.
"I started my snowmobile, turned around, tried to flee," he said, but it was too late — the avalanche caught him.
Within seconds, Dodge Poelman was completely buried under the snow.
"Obviously just like, silence. Right? It's dark," he remembered.
Luckily, Dodge Poelman was only buried about 6 to 10 inches below the surface. He acted fast, digging himself out. But as soon as he was free, a new fear took hold — where was his dad?
"We have radios, so I radio him. He doesn't respond," he said.
Scanning the slide area, Dodge Poelman finally spotted Ryan Poelman's helmet — his dad was bent over a tree, motionless.
"I thought he was dead," Dodge Poelman said. "He was not moving. Not responsive. So I started yelling, took off my helmet, started running."
Ryan Poelman eventually regained consciousness, and his son quickly jumped into action.
"I got my shovel out, undug him, laid him on his back," Dodge Poelman said.
Help wasn't immediate. It took a few hours for search and rescue to arrive and airlift Ryan Poelman off the mountain. Though Ryan Poelman suffered several broken ribs and other injuries, Dodge said his dad is expected to make a full recovery.
Reflecting on the terrifying ordeal, Dodge Poelman expressed gratitude.
"I believe in miracles. I believe this was a miracle," he said.
And despite the scare, their love for the backcountry hasn't wavered.
"I love snowmobiling. I love adventure sports," Dodge Poelman said. "My dad's going to be down for a couple months, which means that he'll snowmobile with me next year."
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