One dead in East Vail Chutes avalanche

VAIL — An avalanche in the East Vail Chutes buried two skiers today, according to the Eagle County Sheriff's Office. A 911 call came from a skier who was able to free himself.

Rescuers this afternoon located the second skier, who was pronounced dead shortly after. The person's name is being withheld until next of kin are notified. The cause of death is still under investigation pending an autopsy. A preliminary investigation conducted by the Sheriff's Office indicates that the incident is not criminal in nature.

The slide happened near the King Tut and Old Man's Chutes, east of where another avalanche killed Vail skier Jesse Brigham on Jan. 4.

The Vail Public Safety Communications Center was able to pinpoint latitude and longitude coordinates off of the 911 call. Vail Mountain Rescue was immediately deployed. Under the direction of Vail Mountain Rescue, Vail Ski Patrol was asked to assist.

Both skiers were outfitted with avalanche beacons. The East Vail Chutes are part of the backcountry and are not part of Vail Ski Resort.

Avalanche danger in most of the Vail Summit Zone at all elevations was “considerable” today, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.