In a harrowing incident near Yellowstone National Park, Wesley Mlaskoch, a snowmobiler from Willow River, Minnesota, triggered an avalanche while motoring across a mountain in the Montana backcountry. The slope above him collapsed into a thick slab of snow, flipping his snowmobile on top of him and threatening to bury him in the debris. However, Mlaskoch managed to survive the avalanche by pulling a cord on his backpack, which triggered an inflatable airbag specially designed for avalanches. The airbag floated him higher in the moving snow, keeping his head above the surface until he came to a stop. His brother and several friends quickly dug him out using shovels, and although he was shaken up, he escaped the incident without any injuries.

This recent incident serves as a cautionary tale, as it was posted online by the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, one of many organizations working to forecast avalanche conditions and prevent accidents. On average, avalanches claim the lives of about 30 people each year in the United States, and this winter has already seen four fatalities, including one within the boundaries of a Lake Tahoe ski resort and others in backcountry areas of Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Avalanche safety specialists are facing increasing challenges in recent years due to climate change and the surge in visitors to backcountry areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in the number of skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers increases the chances of triggering fatal avalanches, despite advancements in safety equipment such as airbags. The Cooke City area, where Mlaskoch's incident occurred, has a particularly high risk of avalanches, with 22 snowmobilers and two skiers losing their lives to snowslides since 1998.

Experts warn that this winter, many mountain ranges are at a high risk of hazardous avalanches due to the unstable layer at the bottom of the snowpack caused by scant snowfall early in the season. This weak layer, combined with temperature changes and climate change-induced droughts, creates a dangerous situation where the snow can collapse easily under the weight of additional snow or wind. Avalanche specialists like Doug Chabot, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, are working tirelessly to raise awareness of these dangers and teach people how to stay safe.

Cooke City, located in Montana's Beartooth Mountains, is a popular tourist destination in the summer as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. However, during winter, the mountain passes leading to the town are closed, and access is limited to driving through Yellowstone from another entrance. Despite the small population of fewer than 100 residents, the community sees a significant influx of snowmobilers and skiers packing the few hotels and inns after heavy snowfall. The steep and treacherous terrain, coupled with the absence of ski patrol, makes it crucial for visitors to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about avalanche safety.

In recent years, business owners in Cooke City have taken a more proactive approach in promoting avalanche safety. They hold weekly public safety briefings, distribute flyers, and provide basic rescue lessons, including how to use avalanche beacons, at a backcountry warming hut used by snowmobilers. Some local outfitters now require the use of safety gear before taking people out on trips. The goal is to prevent accidents and avoid the tragic consequences that have deeply affected the tight-knit community. Kay Whittle, who runs the Antlers Lodge inn and restaurant with her husband, Bill, is also a member of the local search and rescue team and serves as an EMT and deputy county coroner responsible for notifying families of avalanche victims.

As more people venture into the backcountry for winter activities, the work of avalanche specialists becomes increasingly vital. By raising awareness, providing education, and promoting the use of safety equipment, they hope to minimize the number of deaths caused by avalanches and ensure that visitors are aware of the risks they face in these inherently dangerous environments.