The skier was one of two who unleashed the avalanche inside an area known as Square Top outside the resort boundaries, near the Park City Mountain Canyons Village resort, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
The second skier was able to “dig for the victim and try to save lives”, but was forced to leave due to dangerous conditions, according to the statement.
“The danger of an extreme avalanche prevented the rescue team from entering the area before nightfall,” said the sheriff’s office.
Summit County Search and Rescue is working with a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter in efforts to find the missing skier, whose identity has not been released.
As snowstorms build up during the winter months, the snow’s consistency can change and become unstable and dangerous. Inland travelers are encouraged to analyze snow layers and test their stability before skiing or snowmobiling.
The sheriff’s office warned people to use “extreme caution” when entering the field, checking the avalanche conditions at the Utah Avalanche Center and using appropriate equipment when skiing.