CAIC Releases Fatal Avalanche Accident Report from Resolution Creek

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) has released a full accident report on a fatal avalanche that occurred on March 7, 2026. The avalanche occurred in Boss Basin, an upper portion of Resolution Creek south of Ptarmigan Pass near Vail Pass in Eagle County.

The avalanche was triggered by a solo backcountry skier on his second descent of a northeast-facing slope near treeline. The hard slab released on a buried weak layer, stepped down to the ground, and pulled out the entire season’s snowpack. The avalanche was about 400 feet wide, with a crown face ranging from 1 to 3 feet deep. Slope angles in the starting zone ranged from 33 to 36 degrees.

The skier was reported missing the evening of March 7. Summit County Rescue Group, Vail Mountain Rescue, and the Summit and Eagle County sheriff’s offices responded and located an avalanche with ski tracks leading into it. At sunrise on March 8, with support from Flight For Life, rescuers found the skier deceased in the debris.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the skier,” said CAIC Director Ethan Greene. “All the fatal avalanche accidents we investigate are tragic events. We do our best to document each accident to help the people involved and the broader community better understand what happened. We offer these findings in the hope of helping people avoid future avalanche accidents.”

The full report examines the accident, terrain, rescue response, and the snowpack and weather conditions that contributed to the avalanche. Read the full report https://avalanche.state.co.us/report/931cc4ad-f8a5-410c-83e2-bea2e907452b.