Avalanche and Winter Recreation Safety

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.