At least 14 people died in avalanches last week, the most lethal avalanche week on record in the U.S.

Jessen, Moughamian and Nyman are three of the 14 people who have died in avalanches since February 1. It is the highest number of avalanche deaths recorded in a seven-day period since the US National Forest Service’s Avalanche Center began tracking deaths, according to Karl Birkeland, the center’s director.

Moughamian and three others died this weekend when an avalanche swept through a ski area in a field near Salt Lake City on Saturday. Of these they are the most recent in a series of avalanche deaths in six states:

At least 21 people in the U.S. have died in avalanches since the start of the season in December 2020, according to Avalanche.org, a Colorado Avalanche Information Center website that tracks avalanche accidents across the country.

Why it’s been an active year for avalanches

There are two likely reasons why there have been more avalanche deaths this year: more people are enjoying the outdoors in the wildest parts of the west and a “really dangerous layer of snow,” said Nikki Champion, an analyst at Utah Avalanche Center.

This year’s avalanche season was probably more active because of a “weak, persistent layer” of snow, she said.

Snowfall was relatively small in November and December compared to previous years and, as there were periods of drought in early winter, this early snowfall does not come together, she said. This thin layer of snow is forming the basis of snow accumulated in the west, including Utah, Colorado and Montana. All the new snow is on top of that weak base, said Champion.

This layer is also more persistent in recent years, she said. Utah and Colorado are experiencing less snow than normal, so this weak underlay lasts for months.

The increase in deaths can also be explained by the increase in people visiting the western hinterland to ski and hike. As many ski resorts closed during the pandemic, “more people are choosing to go inside,” said Champion.

How to avoid getting stuck in an avalanche

Champion advises to check with the local offices for the avalanche forecast. If you are determined to ski inland, take the appropriate avalanche equipment, she says, including a shovel, headlight and probe – and take a partner with you.

The best advice, however, is to avoid areas where an avalanche could occur, said Champion.

“This is not really a problem that you can fool,” she said.