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Show settled to a stop, the slides had crossed three avalanche stabilization benches. Although there was speculation that the slides were caused by snow falling from trees, the Ski Patrol had skied the ridge just above the fracture line of both avalanches. They reported that they had not started any other slides during their test ski runs. Exhibition Run, which has avalanched several times in the past and hit the two lift towers, did not slide during or after the storm. When S. E. and the instructor reached the run, they decided that there was too much snow to test ski it. Consequently, the men were unable to determine conditions in this area. However, Exhibition Run had been skied prior to the storm while the area that slid had not been skied all winter. There was a definite mogul pattern established on Exhibition; after the storm, on 12 February; the mogul pattern was still very apparent. Though Exhibition did not slide, there were avalanches on two other runs in the area that same afternoon. COMMENT Lack of coordination during the storm and poor visibility led to a near-disaster. Tight control is required in such circumstances to insure safety. Test- skiing large slopes in poor visibility is a risky procedure at any time. Never hesitate to use High Explosives. No. 59- 3 BRIDGER BOWL, MONTANA 1 March 1959 WEATHER FACTORS The slide occurred on 1 March, following a week of intermittent snowfall totaling fifteen inches. Five inches of powder had fallen on the night before the slide. Up to the time of the avalanche, this new snow had not reacted nor had it begun to settle. The temperature in this period ranged from 25° during the day to 10° at night; on the first it was 30°. ACCIDENT SUMMARY Three members of the Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol team and another skier were members of the party involved in this avalanche. The catwalk entrance to the North Bowl area, some seventy- five yards below the rim of the Bowl, was closed on the first. At about 2: 20 p. m. the three members of the Ski Patrol and their companion were traveling along the perimeter of the Bowl, looking for another entrance. Approaching what appeared to be a large slab lying below a small cornice, one of the patrolmen recognized the danger and told the party to climb around the cornice. 49 |
