On February 14, 2021, two splitboarders triggered an avalanche in Beehive Basin north of Big Sky. They were skinning up the slope when they triggered the avalanche. Both members of the party were caught, but Boarder 1 was able to grab trees and not be buried. Boarder 2 was carried approximately 300 feet downslope where he hit a tree and was critically injured. He was partially buried, entangled around a tree with his head downhill. Boarder 1 heard his partner’s screams, called 911 and went to his aid. He administered first aid and worked to keep him warm and calm. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in Big Sky (GCSAR) left the trailhead within 45 minutes of the 911 call, skied to the scene and began providing care. A GCSAR helicopter arrived soon afterward and the injured boarder was short hauled to Big Sky Fire Department and medical care. Boarder 2 died from his injuries that night. The avalanche was 300 feet wide, 500 feet vertical and averaged 2 feet deep. It broke on a layer of facets and near the ground. Read the full accident report here: https://www.mtavalanche.com/accident/21/02/16
Beehive Basin
Northern Madison
Code
HS-ARu-R4-D2.5-O
Elevation
9100
Aspect
SW
Latitude
45.32690
Longitude
-111.38400
Notes
Number caught
2
Number buried
1
Number killed
1
Avalanche Type
Hard slab avalanche
Trigger
Snowboarder
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
4
D size
2.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
24.0 inches
Vertical Fall
500ft
Slab Width
300.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Faceted Crystals
Weak Layer grain size
3.00mm
Weak Layer Hardness
F+
Slab Layer Grain Type
Precipitation Particles
Slab Layer Grain Size
0.50mm
Slab Layer Hardness
4F+
Images
Attached Videos
Slab Thickness units
inches
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year