Preliminary Avalanche Accident Report
Happy Valley Avalanche Accident: Reported on February 18, 2025 – Oregon – Happy Valley –
Gabriel Coler – Central Oregon Avalanche Center
Avalanche Details:
● Location: Happy Valley, Deschutes County, Oregon
○ 44.06212, -121.61267 (WGS-84)
● Oregon
● Avalanche occurred on February 17, 2025
● Time of occurrence is unknown, likely in the afternoon
● 2 Fatalities
● Skiing
● On February 17, 2025, 2 backcountry skiers were buried in a D2, Storm Slab avalanche. The avalanche occurred at 6,700 ft. on a South slope. The avalanche’s crown height averaged 45 cm. and the avalanche ran 320 vertical feet into a tight clump of trees. The weak layer was a 4-finger hard layer of preserved precipitation particles and decomposing fragments. The trigger is unknown, but it is likely that the riders triggered the avalanche themselves.