US Avalanche Fatality Statistics: 2023-2024

The graphs below illustrate the seasons fatalities and fatal incidents according to different criteria. The first set shows the season in the context of the most recent 10 years, the second set categorizes the seasons recreational fatalities by different parameters.

We have archived 16 fatal incidents with 15 fatalities in the US for the 2023-24 season. Two could be considered non-recreational snow avalanche accidents - one ski area in-bounds and one during a commerically guided trip. We consider recreational incidents to be ones in which the parties were responsible for making their own risk management decisions and plans in the backcountry or "side country". Commercial operations could be called recreational but differ in that professionals are responsible for risk management on behalf of the clients.

The seasons archived incidents can be found in the database now, members have full-featured searching and the general public can execute searches with some limitations.

Cumulative Statistics - In the context of the most recent 10 seasons

Click on any graph for a larger version.

Chart showing annual totals of all avalanche fatalities for the 2013 through 2022 seasons (Oct 2013 - Sept 2023)

This graph shows the number of all avalanche incidents and fatalities for each of the past 10 seasons. The flat lines are the ten year averages.

Chart showing annual totals of all recreational avalanche fatalities for the 2013 through 2022 seasons (Oct 2013 - Sept 2023)

This graph shows the number of all recreational avalanche incidents and fatalities for each of the past 10 seasons. Ski area in-bounds incidents, roof avalanches and commercial operation incidents have been removed from the data here so the numbers are a bit lower.

Chart showing annual totals of all avalanche fatalities as well as recreational ones for the 2013 through 2022 seasons (Oct 2013 - Sept 2023)

This is a composite of the above two graphs. This shows more directly the difference between all incidents and recreational ones only. During the 2023-24 season there was one ski area in-bounds incident and one commercial heli-ski incident.
Chart showing the distribution by state of all avalanche fatalities for the 2013 through 2022 seasons (Oct 2013 - Sept 2023)

This graph shows the percentage of incidents in each state for the past 10 seasons (blue) and the 2023-24 season (red). This graph has all incidents included.
Cumulative by State

This graph also shows fatalities by state but as a number rather than percentage. Taking this perspective most states are not far from average. Clearly Colorado had unusually few fatalities, and Alaska had noticeably less that average, compared to the ten year average.

Chart showing the distribution by month of all avalanche fatalities for the 2013 through 2022 seasons (Oct 2013 - Sept 2023)

This graph shows the percentage of fatalities in each month for the past ten seasons (blue) and the 2023-24 season (red). This graph includes all incidents. May appears high on a percentage basis but had just 3 fatalities (in 2 incidents). The low number of fatalities for the season makes the percentage higher.

Cumulative by Month

This graph also shows the fatalities each month but not as a percentage. The blue bars are the average number of fatalities each year in that month. The percentage version can distort things a bit since there were a small total number of incidents this season. (So 2 incidents in May appears large as a percentage.)

Graphs for Statistics of just the 2023-24 Season

Some of the below graphs include only "recreational" incidents, meaning those where the party directly took personal responsibility for their activities, their rescue abilities, and the outcomes. During this season all but two incidents fall into that category. One was a commercial heli-skiing incident where the operation is responsible for risk management and the other was an in-bounds ski area avalanche. The total number of incidents is 15 and the total number of fatalities is 16 (or 13/14 recreational).

Avalanche Fatalities 2022-2023 by State

California had one in-bounds ski area fatality and Alaska had one commercial heli-ski fatality. Both of these incidents have been omitted here.

Avalanche Fatalities 2022-2023 by Month

This graph includes all incidents, none are omitted.

Avalanche Fatalities 2022-2023 by Activity

Non-motorized incidents and fatalities were significantly greater this season than mechanized ones. All incidents involved what could be called "traditional" avalanche risk activities. Minus climbing. There were no snow bikes, snowshoers, hikers, etc.

The two "non-recreational" incidents (ski area and heli-skiing) are omitted.

motorized vs not

Non-mechanized incidents and fatalities were significantly greater this season than mechanized ones.

The two "non-recreational" incidents (ski area and heli-skiing) are omitted.

Avalanche Fatalities 2022-2023 by Danger Rating

There were a surprising number of fatals during "High" avalanche danger. Three had no danger rating, in the case of two in May the Forest Service was no longer skiing and forecasting and one incident was a cornice fall which is not specifically addressed in standard danger scale ratings. The non-recreational incidents are not included here.

Avalanche Fatalities 2022-2023 by snow climate

This chart shows incidents and fatalities by snow climate. The two commercial incidents are both omitted - one was in CA which is maritime and the other in coastal AK which can also be called maritime.