Accidents
Accident Statistics and Reporting
The CAIC investigates fatal avalanches in Colorado and keeps the central archive of avalanche accidents for the United States. This page explains how that reporting works and what the records show.
How We Investigate and Report
The CAIC staff investigates fatal avalanches in Colorado. CAIC forecasters post preliminary information within 24 hours. After visiting the site of the accident and speaking to the people involved, they publish a final Accident Report. Final Reports may take a week or more to compile.
The CAIC also collects information on close calls. If you trigger an avalanche, please submit an observation, email, or call the CAIC.
The Accident Archive
The CAIC is the central archive for avalanche accidents in the United States and maintains detailed records going back to 1950, and sparse records back to the 1860s. The CAIC online database contains avalanche accident reports in the United States since 2009 and in Colorado since 1950.
The database began with the Westwide Data Network in the 1970s. Through the efforts of Dale Atkins, Knox Williams, Betsy Armstrong and others, it now contains records for over one thousand fatalities.
Accident Statistics
Over the last 10 winters, an average of 23 people died in avalanches each winter in the United States. Almost every fatal accident is investigated and reported, so the CAIC can present fatality data with some certainty.
There is no way to determine how many people are caught or buried in avalanches each year, because most non-fatal avalanche incidents are never reported.
The graphs below are drawn from the CAIC Accident Database and may be used for avalanche education and awareness. The figures behind each graph are in the tables below the graphs and in the downloadable spreadsheet (XLSX).
Each table has the figures for the graph of the same name.
United States
US Avalanche Fatalities by Avalanche Year 1950-51 to 2025-26
US Avalanche Fatalities by Avalanche Year 1950-51 to 2025-26 | Season | Deaths | 5-season average |
| 1950-51 | 2 | |
| 1951-52 | 11 | |
| 1952-53 | 3 | |
| 1953-54 | 5 | |
| 1954-55 | 1 | 4.4 |
| 1955-56 | 3 | 4.6 |
| 1956-57 | 5 | 3.4 |
| 1957-58 | 6 | 4 |
| 1958-59 | 2 | 3.4 |
| 1959-60 | 4 | 4 |
| 1960-61 | 1 | 3.6 |
| 1961-62 | 12 | 5 |
| 1962-63 | 6 | 5 |
| 1963-64 | 7 | 6 |
| 1964-65 | 4 | 6 |
| 1965-66 | 3 | 6.4 |
| 1966-67 | 6 | 5.2 |
| 1967-68 | 4 | 4.8 |
| 1968-69 | 6 | 4.6 |
| 1969-70 | 7 | 5.2 |
| 1970-71 | 12 | 7 |
| 1971-72 | 7 | 7.2 |
| 1972-73 | 4 | 7.2 |
| 1973-74 | 13 | 8.6 |
| 1974-75 | 22 | 11.6 |
| 1975-76 | 21 | 13.4 |
| 1976-77 | 6 | 13.2 |
| 1977-78 | 18 | 16 |
| 1978-79 | 10 | 15.4 |
| 1979-80 | 6 | 12.2 |
| 1980-81 | 23 | 12.6 |
| 1981-82 | 18 | 15 |
| 1982-83 | 14 | 14.2 |
| 1983-84 | 15 | 15.2 |
| 1984-85 | 14 | 16.8 |
| 1985-86 | 17 | 15.6 |
| 1986-87 | 21 | 16.2 |
| 1987-88 | 8 | 15 |
| 1988-89 | 7 | 13.4 |
| 1989-90 | 8 | 12.2 |
| 1990-91 | 8 | 10.4 |
| 1991-92 | 24 | 11 |
| 1992-93 | 29 | 15.2 |
| 1993-94 | 13 | 16.4 |
| 1994-95 | 28 | 20.4 |
| 1995-96 | 30 | 24.8 |
| 1996-97 | 22 | 24.4 |
| 1997-98 | 26 | 23.8 |
| 1998-99 | 31 | 27.4 |
| 1999-00 | 22 | 26.2 |
| 2000-01 | 33 | 26.8 |
| 2001-02 | 35 | 29.4 |
| 2002-03 | 30 | 30.2 |
| 2003-04 | 23 | 28.6 |
| 2004-05 | 28 | 29.8 |
| 2005-06 | 24 | 28 |
| 2006-07 | 20 | 25 |
| 2007-08 | 36 | 26.2 |
| 2008-09 | 28 | 27.2 |
| 2009-10 | 36 | 28.8 |
| 2010-11 | 25 | 29 |
| 2011-12 | 34 | 31.8 |
| 2012-13 | 24 | 29.4 |
| 2013-14 | 35 | 30.8 |
| 2014-15 | 11 | 25.8 |
| 2015-16 | 30 | 26.8 |
| 2016-17 | 12 | 22.4 |
| 2017-18 | 25 | 22.6 |
| 2018-19 | 25 | 20.6 |
| 2019-20 | 23 | 23 |
| 2020-21 | 37 | 24.4 |
| 2021-22 | 17 | 25.4 |
| 2022-23 | 30 | 26.4 |
| 2023-24 | 16 | 24.6 |
| 2024-25 | 22 | 24.4 |
| 2025-26 | 23 | 21.6 |
US Avalanche Fatalities by State 1950-51 to 2025-26
US Avalanche Fatalities by State 1950-51 to 2025-26 | State | Deaths |
| Colorado | 328 |
| Alaska | 179 |
| Utah | 142 |
| Washington | 141 |
| Montana | 130 |
| Wyoming | 103 |
| Idaho | 97 |
| California | 85 |
| Oregon | 25 |
| New Hampshire | 17 |
| Nevada | 15 |
| New Mexico | 6 |
| New York | 4 |
| Maine | 2 |
| Arizona | 1 |
| North Dakota | 1 |
| Vermont | 1 |
US Avalanche Fatalities by Month 1950-51 to 2025-26
US Avalanche Fatalities by Month 1950-51 to 2025-26 | Month | Deaths |
| October | 10 |
| November | 49 |
| December | 164 |
| January | 283 |
| February | 307 |
| March | 228 |
| April | 124 |
| May | 51 |
| June | 46 |
| July | 6 |
| August | 8 |
| September | 1 |
US Avalanche Fatalities by Month 2016-17 to 2025-26
US Avalanche Fatalities by Month 2016-17 to 2025-26 | Month | Deaths |
| October | 1 |
| November | 1 |
| December | 28 |
| January | 45 |
| February | 82 |
| March | 46 |
| April | 15 |
| May | 9 |
| June | 2 |
| July | 1 |
| August | 0 |
| September | 0 |
US Avalanche Fatalities by Activity 1950-51 to 2025-26
US Avalanche Fatalities by Activity 1950-51 to 2025-26 | Activity | Deaths |
| Backcountry Tourer | 350 |
| Snowmobiler | 314 |
| Climber | 194 |
| Sidecountry Rider | 116 |
| Hiker | 60 |
| Inbounds Rider | 52 |
| Resident | 43 |
| Ski Patroller | 28 |
| Others at Work | 17 |
| Highway Personnel | 14 |
| Snowplayer | 14 |
| Motorist | 13 |
| Mechanized Guided Client | 12 |
| Mechanized Guide | 10 |
| Hunter | 7 |
| Snowbiker | 7 |
| Misc Recreation | 5 |
| Rescuer | 5 |
| Human-Powered Guide | 4 |
| Hybrid Rider | 4 |
| Miner | 4 |
| Human-Powered Guided Client | 2 |
| Hybrid Tourer | 1 |
| Ranger | 1 |
US Avalanche Fatalities by Activity 2016-17 to 2025-26
US Avalanche Fatalities by Activity 2016-17 to 2025-26 | Activity | Deaths |
| Backcountry Tourer | 89 |
| Snowmobiler | 67 |
| Sidecountry Rider | 15 |
| Climber | 12 |
| Resident | 9 |
| Inbounds Rider | 8 |
| Mechanized Guided Client | 7 |
| Hiker | 5 |
| Snowbiker | 5 |
| Human-Powered Guide | 4 |
| Mechanized Guide | 4 |
| Hybrid Rider | 2 |
| Ski Patroller | 2 |
| Hybrid Tourer | 1 |
US Avalanche Fatalities Map by State 1950-51 to 2025-26
US Avalanche Fatalities Map by State 1950-51 to 2025-26 | State | Deaths |
| Colorado | 328 |
| Alaska | 179 |
| Utah | 142 |
| Washington | 141 |
| Montana | 130 |
| Wyoming | 103 |
| Idaho | 97 |
| California | 85 |
| Oregon | 25 |
| New Hampshire | 17 |
| Nevada | 15 |
| New Mexico | 6 |
| New York | 4 |
| Maine | 2 |
| Arizona | 1 |
| North Dakota | 1 |
| Vermont | 1 |
US Avalanche Fatalities Map by State 2016-17 to 2025-26
US Avalanche Fatalities Map by State 2016-17 to 2025-26 | State | Deaths |
| Colorado | 54 |
| Alaska | 28 |
| Utah | 26 |
| Idaho | 24 |
| Washington | 22 |
| California | 21 |
| Wyoming | 21 |
| Montana | 19 |
| Oregon | 7 |
| Nevada | 4 |
| New Hampshire | 2 |
| New Mexico | 2 |
Colorado
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Avalanche Year 1950-51 to 2025-26
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Avalanche Year 1950-51 to 2025-26 | Season | Deaths | 5-season average |
| 1950-51 | 2 | |
| 1951-52 | 3 | |
| 1952-53 | 0 | |
| 1953-54 | 0 | |
| 1954-55 | 0 | 1 |
| 1955-56 | 0 | 0.6 |
| 1956-57 | 3 | 0.6 |
| 1957-58 | 4 | 1.4 |
| 1958-59 | 1 | 1.6 |
| 1959-60 | 2 | 2 |
| 1960-61 | 1 | 2.2 |
| 1961-62 | 8 | 3.2 |
| 1962-63 | 3 | 3 |
| 1963-64 | 0 | 2.8 |
| 1964-65 | 2 | 2.8 |
| 1965-66 | 1 | 2.8 |
| 1966-67 | 2 | 1.6 |
| 1967-68 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 1968-69 | 0 | 1.4 |
| 1969-70 | 1 | 1.2 |
| 1970-71 | 1 | 1.2 |
| 1971-72 | 2 | 1.2 |
| 1972-73 | 2 | 1.2 |
| 1973-74 | 2 | 1.6 |
| 1974-75 | 8 | 3 |
| 1975-76 | 3 | 3.4 |
| 1976-77 | 1 | 3.2 |
| 1977-78 | 5 | 3.8 |
| 1978-79 | 2 | 3.8 |
| 1979-80 | 1 | 2.4 |
| 1980-81 | 4 | 2.6 |
| 1981-82 | 4 | 3.2 |
| 1982-83 | 5 | 3.2 |
| 1983-84 | 9 | 4.6 |
| 1984-85 | 4 | 5.2 |
| 1985-86 | 4 | 5.2 |
| 1986-87 | 11 | 6.6 |
| 1987-88 | 5 | 6.6 |
| 1988-89 | 4 | 5.6 |
| 1989-90 | 4 | 5.6 |
| 1990-91 | 6 | 6 |
| 1991-92 | 9 | 5.6 |
| 1992-93 | 12 | 7 |
| 1993-94 | 1 | 6.4 |
| 1994-95 | 9 | 7.4 |
| 1995-96 | 7 | 7.6 |
| 1996-97 | 1 | 6 |
| 1997-98 | 6 | 4.8 |
| 1998-99 | 6 | 5.8 |
| 1999-00 | 8 | 5.6 |
| 2000-01 | 4 | 5 |
| 2001-02 | 8 | 6.4 |
| 2002-03 | 6 | 6.4 |
| 2003-04 | 3 | 5.8 |
| 2004-05 | 5 | 5.2 |
| 2005-06 | 4 | 5.2 |
| 2006-07 | 5 | 4.6 |
| 2007-08 | 5 | 4.4 |
| 2008-09 | 4 | 4.6 |
| 2009-10 | 8 | 5.2 |
| 2010-11 | 7 | 5.8 |
| 2011-12 | 7 | 6.2 |
| 2012-13 | 11 | 7.4 |
| 2013-14 | 8 | 8.2 |
| 2014-15 | 3 | 7.2 |
| 2015-16 | 5 | 6.8 |
| 2016-17 | 1 | 5.6 |
| 2017-18 | 3 | 4 |
| 2018-19 | 8 | 4 |
| 2019-20 | 6 | 4.6 |
| 2020-21 | 12 | 6 |
| 2021-22 | 7 | 7.2 |
| 2022-23 | 11 | 8.8 |
| 2023-24 | 2 | 7.6 |
| 2024-25 | 3 | 7 |
| 2025-26 | 1 | 4.8 |
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Month 1950-51 to 2025-26
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Month 1950-51 to 2025-26 | Month | Deaths |
| October | 6 |
| November | 16 |
| December | 41 |
| January | 71 |
| February | 79 |
| March | 69 |
| April | 35 |
| May | 4 |
| June | 4 |
| July | 2 |
| August | 1 |
| September | 0 |
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Month 2016-17 to 2025-26
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Month 2016-17 to 2025-26 | Month | Deaths |
| October | 0 |
| November | 0 |
| December | 8 |
| January | 10 |
| February | 20 |
| March | 10 |
| April | 5 |
| May | 1 |
| June | 0 |
| July | 0 |
| August | 0 |
| September | 0 |
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Activity 1950-51 to 2025-26
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Activity 1950-51 to 2025-26 | Activity | Deaths |
| Backcountry Tourer | 126 |
| Sidecountry Rider | 48 |
| Snowmobiler | 40 |
| Climber | 33 |
| Resident | 16 |
| Hiker | 12 |
| Inbounds Rider | 12 |
| Ski Patroller | 11 |
| Motorist | 7 |
| Highway Personnel | 5 |
| Miner | 3 |
| Others at Work | 3 |
| Rescuer | 3 |
| Mechanized Guide | 2 |
| Mechanized Guided Client | 2 |
| Snowbiker | 2 |
| Hunter | 1 |
| Hybrid Rider | 1 |
| Snowplayer | 1 |
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Activity 2015-16 to 2024-25
Colorado Avalanche Fatalities by Activity 2015-16 to 2024-25 | Activity | Deaths |
| Backcountry Tourer | 32 |
| Snowmobiler | 10 |
| Sidecountry Rider | 5 |
| Climber | 3 |
| Resident | 3 |
| Hiker | 2 |
| Snowbiker | 2 |
| Mechanized Guide | 1 |
Download the Data
The full US avalanche accident dataset is available as an Excel file. Please cite the Colorado Avalanche Information Center when you use it.
Download the CAIC accident data (XLSX)
