Update | 6:46 p.m.
KHNS reports Scott Sundberg is OK and already home.
Update | 5:20 p.m.
The skier injured in an avalanche near Haines has been identified as Scott Sundberg, 40, of Haines. He’s co-owner of heliski company Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures.
Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters says Sundberg was with a group from his company and skiing a maneuver called a “hard carve” to test snow conditions when an avalanche was triggered. He was the only person caught in the slide.
Sundberg was partially buried with his head under the snow. People with him quickly located and uncovered him and he regained consciousness. A SEABA helicopter transported him to the Haines airport where he was met by an ambulance.
Peters says there is a good take away.
“Yes, they were in the backcountry. An avalanche was triggered. But there were other people on the scene. They had proper safety equipment. They were able to quickly locate the person and transport him to help and the person appears to be OK,” Peters says.
Peters says Sundberg’s safety gear included an airbag, but she couldn’t confirm if it deployed.
Sundberg’s company is working with the Freeride World Tour to host a competition in the mountains near Haines this weekend. Organizers say the event will continue as scheduled.
Original post | 1:08 p.m.
A skier who was testing slopes near Haines for an upcoming international ski competition was injured in an avalanche this morning.
Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters says the unidentified skier is alive, but she did not have any information about their condition. She says they were partially buried by the avalanche and rescued after a short period of time. The skier is being treated at the Haines clinic.
Peters says the victim was skiing in an area called Tele Bowl near Kicking Horse Valley north of Haines.
Troopers received a 911 call about the incident at 11:35 a.m.
The Freeride World Tour is one of the largest big mountain ski and snowboard competitions in the world. It’s scheduled to start this weekend with 36 international athletes. It’s the first time the competition will be held in Alaska.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
