Your Skiing Partner Goes Missing. What Happens Next?

Earlier this year a 62-year-old skier went missing at Lake Tahoe's Heavenly Mountain. Rescuers found his corpse buried beneath heaps of snow about 24 hours later.

The episode came on the heels of another involving a 26-year-old man in Utah. An avalanche swept the man beneath the blitzing snow drifts and a rescue dog found his body the next day.

Both men were accompanied by skiing partners. Problems arose after parties separated. 

There’s risk in any sport but the rise of Backcountry skiing arguably ups the stakes. Roughly 41.5 people have died skiing and/or snowboarding in each of the last 10 years, according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). Globally, avalanches are an enduring fear. More than 150 people – mostly skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers – are killed in avalanches every year, according to National Geographic statistics.

If there’s one thing to remember, it’s that time is critical after two people are separated. A missing partner should be (at least) adequately dressed so that their scalp, hands, fingers and face are covered. But that doesn’t mean they still won’t battle frostbite or other injuries. As unpleasant as it is, one must consider suffocation from snow.

The NSAA, which represents more 300 alpine resorts that account for more than 90% of the skier/snowboarder visits nationwide, stated that in the 2017/18 ski season, there were seven fatal snow immersion suffocation (SIS) incidents in the United States.

Over the past 10 years there have been 41 fatal snow immersion suffocation incidents.

So, if someone is missing and ski patrol must be notified, be decisive. Clear your head before you contact ski patrol. Here’s what they need to know:

• Name of missing person
• Where he or she was last seen
• What they were wearing
• What they were doing before disappearing
• Medical issues or any medical history you can provide

Think through these things before heading out. That way they’re top of mind should you need to recall the information.

Soon enough checks will be done with lifties and other resort staff to make sure your partner hasn’t been seen elsewhere.

The search is on if your partner hasn’t turned up. We outlined in detail the steps that rescuers take in this piece for Ski Magazine.