A skier in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest backcountry was killed last week in a snow immersion accident. It’s the first backcountry death in the area of 2025.
Whatcom County Search and Rescue was activated around noon on Wednesday, Feb. 5, after receiving a call that a skier had fallen head-first into deep snow, said Deb Slater, a public information officer for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
The skier’s partners uncovered them and started CPR, Slater said. The skier died at the scene.
In the Northwest Avalanche Center forecast discussion after the death, NWAC reminded backcountry skiers and snowboarders to keep their partners in sight at all times and to stay close enough to help them if they get buried in a tree well or other deep snow hazard.
Currently, there is moderate avalanche danger for the northwest slopes, according to NWAC.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
