Since 1997, 311 people have been caught in avalanches in Colorado and 102 have died, according to data from the .
Skiers and snowboarders are most often avalanche victims. Forty-one backcountry snow riders have died in avalanches, 19 sidecountry riders and six skiers have died in-bounds in ski areas, including two patrollers. Sidecountry is terrain accessed from a ski area that is not part of the ski area.
In that time period, 20 snowmobilers, nine hikers and snowshoers, and five climbers have died, along with two people who were buried and killed in a roof avalanche near Creede in 2010.
From 1950-2013, 259 people have been killed in Colorado avalanches, 59 of them from 2003-13. Alaska has the second-most avalanche fatalities, 141 from 1950-2013.
Across the United States, January is the deadliest month for avalanches — 219 deaths have occurred in that month.
