Canadian Snowboarder Dies in Utah Avalanche

Authorities in Utah have confirmed the tragic death of 38-year-old Canadian man, David Ethier, who was snowboarding in the mountains near Salt Lake City when he was caught in an avalanche.

The Salt Lake County sheriff’s office announced that Ethier’s body was recovered on Tuesday after he had been splitboarding in the Millcreek Canyon area on Saturday and was swept under the snow during the avalanche.

Deputy Arlan Bennett shared that a rescue operation was initiated on Sunday evening after Ethier’s dog was found by a family, leading them to discover his car at a trailhead. Ethier’s family in Quebec had informed authorities that he was 24 hours overdue.

The rescue efforts faced challenges due to heavy snowfall, with Bennett mentioning, “Further up on the peak towards the area where he would have been at, it was snowing pretty much constantly. There was only a small window of opportunity for us to get the chopper up.”

Sheriff Rosie Rivera expressed her condolences, calling it a “heartbreaking tragedy” and extending sympathies to Ethier’s family as they mourn the loss of their loved one.

The incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in winter sports and the importance of being prepared and cautious while exploring the mountains.