Two Skiers Rescued After Avalanche Near Turnagain Pass

# Two Skiers Rescued After Avalanche Near Turnagain Pass

Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Mountain Rescue Group rescued two injured skiers Thursday afternoon after an avalanche swept them down a snow chute at Falls Creek Trail near mile 106 of the Seward Highway.

The incident occurred at 2:24 p.m. April 17, according to Alaska Department of Public Safety dispatch records. Both men dug themselves out of the avalanche debris but sustained injuries requiring helicopter evacuation.

Troopers dispatched Helo 3 to the scene. The helicopter transported one skier to a landing zone at mile marker 106, where Anchorage Fire Department ground ambulance crews took over transport to an Anchorage hospital. The second skier was airlifted directly from the scene later that evening.

The National Weather Service had issued advisories for heavy snow and elevated avalanche danger in the Turnagain Pass area that day. Falls Creek Trail sits in terrain known for avalanche activity during winter and spring conditions.

The rescue highlights ongoing risks for backcountry skiers along the Seward Highway corridor, which connects Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula. The highway serves as the primary route for commuters, commercial traffic, and access to popular skiing and hiking areas in the Chugach Mountains.

Alaska Mountain Rescue Group members assisted with the technical aspects of the rescue operation. The volunteer organization responds to backcountry emergencies throughout Southcentral Alaska.

Neither the Alaska State Troopers nor the Department of Public Safety released the names of the injured skiers. The extent of their injuries was not disclosed in official reports.

The incident did not result in highway closures, according to Alaska 511 road condition reports from April 17 and 18. Traffic continued to flow on the Seward Highway during the rescue operation.

Falls Creek Trail attracts skiers and snowboarders seeking steep terrain in the Turnagain Pass area. The location sits roughly 60 miles south of Anchorage in an area that receives heavy snowfall and experiences frequent avalanche activity.

The Alaska Avalanche Information Center provides daily forecasts for the region during winter months. Backcountry travelers should check current conditions, carry avalanche safety equipment, and travel with partners trained in rescue techniques.

Anyone planning backcountry travel in avalanche terrain can access current forecasts at weather.gov/afc and road conditions at 511.alaska.gov.