Report: 72 avalanches in southwest Montana in 2016
BOZEMAN (AP) — Despite only having two avalanche deaths this winter, Montana still ranks second in overall avalanche deaths over the last decade.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that according to the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center's annual report there were more than 30 avalanche deaths between 2006 and 2016. Colorado has the most avalanche deaths in the same period with more than 60.
According to the report southwest Montana had 72 avalanches this winter. Two of those were fatal with one snowmobiler dying in a slide on Sheep Mountain near Cooke City in December and a skier dying in an avalanche on Cedar Mountain near Big Sky in January.
The report shows that the region saw more snow than expected this winter and that snowpack is close to normal.