“A person should have wings to carry them where their dreams go, but sometimes a pair of skis makes a good substitute,” once shared the father of helicopter skiing, Hans Gmoser. With this very intention, countless enthusiasts flood ski resorts around the world to find respite and tranquility on the powdery slopes.

However, for a 20-year-old backcountry skier and her friends, their excursion to New Hampshire for some skiing turned into a harrowing ordeal, ultimately resulting in a fatal accident for the young skier.

The tragic death of a young backcountry skier

According to ABC News, on the weekend of March 9th and 10th, 2024, a tragic incident occurred on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. A skier, Madison Saltsburg, lost her life after falling nearly 600 feet down Tuckerman Ravine, an icy and steep area on the mountain. Madison was skiing in the backcountry with two others when the accident happened.

The conditions on the mountain were challenging, with hard, icy snow surfaces, crevasse holes, and slippery terrain, making it dangerous for skiing. Despite the efforts of the US Forest Service, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, and other rescue teams, Madison succumbed to her injuries. The Mount Washington Avalanche Center noted that the day of the accident was particularly busy and challenging due to changes in weather conditions.

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Earlier in the week, the melting and refreezing of snow created a firm surface, heightening the risk of accidents. The accident happened during ski patrol training, with a full staff ready for rescue operations. Despite their efforts, Madison’s injuries proved fatal, adding to the tragic statistics of skiing accidents and incidents in Tuckerman Ravine.

The harrowing skiing accidents statistics and previous ordeals on Tuckerman Ravine

Every year, around 600,000 people get injured while skiing or snowboarding in the United States alone. In the 2019/2020 season, there were 38 reported deaths due to skiing accidents in the United States. Tuckerman Ravine is known for its extreme skiing challenges but also its dangers, especially during certain times of the year when conditions are unpredictable.

The area requires careful preparation, experience, and proper equipment for safe skiing. Colleen Mainville, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, informed Fox 59 that snow rangers and emergency personnel had been active for several days because of other incidents. The night before Madison Saltsburg’s accident, a 23-year-old hiker from Kentucky required rescue after veering off-trail into Ammonoosuc Ravine.

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The hiker fell and hit his head and face, lost one of his sneakers, and eventually became hypothermic. Upon rescue, the hiker was provided with boots, food, a warm drink, proper winter gear, and a headlamp. Additionally, in February, another hiker was rescued from Ammonoosuc Ravine after an 11-hour ordeal. These tragic incidents have shed light on how, even though skiing and snowboarding can be a lot of fun, it’s crucial to prioritize safety by wearing protective gear, following the rules of the slopes, and being aware of your surroundings.

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