Two skiers have died and another has been rescued following an avalanche near Lone Peak in the Wasatch Range, southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah. The avalanche occurred after recent spring snowstorms added approximately 76 centimeters of heavy, wet snow to the area, creating perilous conditions in the mountainous region.

The incident was reported on Thursday when one of the skiers, who survived, managed to extricate himself from the snow and alert authorities. He was subsequently rescued and transported to a hospital. Search and recovery efforts for the two deceased skiers, aged 23 and 32, were hindered by dangerous conditions following the avalanche, with officials deeming it too unsafe to proceed immediately.

Rosie Rivera, the Salt Lake County Sheriff, confirmed that the operation to recover the victims would resume on Friday, once conditions were deemed safer. Craig Gordon, from the Utah Avalanche Center, discussed the challenging terrain and the significant snowfall, which likely contributed to the avalanche. The area is known for attracting skiers and outdoor enthusiasts due to its rugged natural beauty.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased. The survivor is cooperating with investigators to provide further details about the circumstances leading up to the avalanche. Rescuers involved in the operation included teams from the Unified Fire Authority and the National Forest Service.