Avalanche Strikes Jackson Hole Restaurant

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• December 30 2008
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A recent slide on Cody Bowl.

Just two days after an in-bounds slide claimed the life of a skier on the mountain, an avalanche smashed into a lift-top restaurant at Jackson Hole. No one was injured by the slide that trapped two and poured into the back door of the Bridger Restaurant at the top of the gondola at around 9:30 yesterday morning.

According to the Associated Press:

Resort spokeswoman Anna Olson said Monday’s slide happened shortly before the ski area was to open for the day. Some resort employees were in the area at the time but no members of the public.

“An immediate search took place and everyone was accounted for,” Olson said. “The incident is under full investigation.”

She said the ski area was closed until conditions improve.

Those on the scene afterward included Teton County Sheriff Bob Zimmer, who said he saw snow piled up a dozen feet high on the back side of the restaurant, causing the back wall to bow inward. Inside, he said, snow spilled about 30 feet through a back door, scattering tables and chairs.

Zimmer said he was told that two or three resort workers were caught in the avalanche outside.

“One guy had his face and a hand up and they found him right away. The other two or three, they got out right away,” Zimmer said.