Avalanche hits skiers at Sugarloaf

CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Three skiers enjoying fresh powder Wednesday found themselves buried waist-deep in snow after a rare avalanche ripped down the mountain at Sugarloaf USA.

No one was injured when the plate of snow measuring about 80 feet long and five feet deep slid down the steep back bowl of the ski area at about 9:45 a.m., said Sugarloaf spokesman Chip Carey.

“This is a big one. The last one of this size was in the mid-70s. It is not unusual to have some snow slide down the mountain. It is unusual when people are out there,” he said.

Sugarloaf electrician Les Hayden, ski instructor Eric Chase and a third unidentified skier were traversing the slopes on some of the mountain’s most difficult terrain when the snow gave way.

“There was absolutely nothing we could do. When it started to go, we were along for the ride,” Hayden said.

The three, all described as experienced skiers, were trapped in the enormous snow pile and had to be dug out. Chase lost both poles and one of his skis.

“Five feet deep. That’s a significant amount of snow. Had they fallen, they would have been buried,” Carey said.

Carey blamed the avalanche on two feet of new snow that fell Tuesday and the warm weather.

“We had a real change in weather that might have precipitated it somewhat. … The snow got wet and heavy and that caused it to slide,” he said.

Avalanches are uncommon in Maine. The last major avalanche occurred 10 years ago on Mount Katahdin, the state’s highest peak, when two hikers were killed.

The area where Wednesday’s avalanche occurred was later re-opened after the slope was checked for safety. But Carey said, “Huge chunks of snow the size of Volkswagens” are still cluttering the snowfields of the back bowl.

Sugarloaf spokeswoman Nancy Marshall said Wednesday night that the ski patrol would inspect the area between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Thursday. She said the patrol may intentionally set off avalanches to make the area safer for skiers.