Avalanche warning issued for northern Utah mountains after deadly week

SALT LAKE CITY — A new avalanche warning is now in effect for Utah's backcountry following a deadly stretch of avalanches in the mountains.

The Utah Avalanche Center says the warning runs from 6 a.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Thursday, citing dangerous conditions in areas that have already seen multiple avalanches in recent days.

Three people were killed in avalanches across the region over the past week, prompting increased mitigation efforts from state crews and ski resorts.

In Little and Big Cottonwood canyons, the Utah Department of Transportation is enforcing traction laws and conducting temporary road holds as conditions warrant. If there is concern about a potential slide, officials say they will close the canyon roads to perform avalanche control work before reopening them to the public.

"So if there's a concern with a slide coming down, we won't hesitate to close down the canyon road and do that avalanche control work to make sure that everyone's safe," said John Gleason, UDOT spokesman.

At resorts like Alta and Snowbird, teams are also working to reduce risk by using remote avalanche control systems, including Wyssen towers, to trigger controlled slides before terrain opens. Guests may experience delays or temporary closures as crews complete mitigation work.

Officials urge anyone heading into the backcountry to check the latest avalanche conditions and carry proper safety equipment. The warning remains in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday.

Correction: A previous version said the National Weather Service issued the warning. It was the Utah Avalanche Center.

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