Utah Backcountry Avalanches Kill 11‑Year‑Old Skier and Father as Officials Warn of Highly Unstable Snowpack
Two backcountry avalanches in Utah killed 11‑year‑old Madelyn Eitas of Rochester, Massachusetts — who was swept away on a family ski vacation, located under the snow after her brother Cameron and more than 20 nearby residents searched for her, and later died at a hospital — and a father who was snowmobiling with his son, the state’s first two avalanche fatalities of the season. Officials warned of a highly unstable snowpack as communities mourn and tributes poured in from Madelyn’s youth soccer team and local police.
📌 Key Facts
- An 11-year-old girl, Madelyn Eitas of Rochester, Massachusetts, was identified as a victim; she was on a family ski vacation in Utah.
- Madelyn was swept away in the incident (reported as occurring in Utah backcountry); her brother, Cameron Eitas, helped find her using an application to locate people under the snow.
- More than 20 nearby citizens joined the initial search efforts at the scene.
- Madelyn was transported from the scene in critical condition and later died at a hospital.
- Her death prompted community tributes, including statements from her Massachusetts youth soccer team and local police.
- These details were reported in coverage dated February 23, 2026.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
February 23, 2026
9:27 PM
Family ski trip ends in tragedy after brother finds sister swept away by Utah avalanche
New information:
- Identifies the 11‑year‑old victim by name as Madelyn Eitas of Rochester, Massachusetts, and specifies she was on a family ski vacation.
- Details that more than 20 nearby citizens joined the initial search and that Madelyn’s brother, Cameron Eitas, used an application to help locate her under the snow.
- Reports that Madelyn was transported from the scene in critical condition and later died at the hospital, and includes community tributes from her Massachusetts youth soccer team and local police.