A Canadian man tragically died while snowboarding with his dog in Utah after an avalanche swept him under the snow.
David Ethier, 38, from Quebec, was riding his splitboard – a snowboard that splits into two pieces – in Millcreek Canyon with his black Labrador on Saturday when the natural disaster occurred.
Ethier’s pet was seen alone that night wandering along Porter Fork Road in the canyon and authorities identified her owner using her microchip.
But the snowboarder’s body was not recovered until Tuesday – after days of extensive search and recovery efforts.
The man’s avalanche-related death was the first of two that occurred in the area in just three days.
On Sunday afternoon, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) received reports of an “overdue party” in Millcreek Canyon and found Ethier’s car parked at the Porter Fork trailhead.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) launched searches that night, but were limited by weather, avalanche conditions and limited daylight, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team (SLCOSAR).
Search efforts resumed Monday morning by teams from the SLCOSAR and the Utah Avalanche Center.
David Ethier, 38, was killed by an avalanche while snowboarding with his dog in Utah
He was snowboarding in Millcreek Canyon and was found along the Porter Fork trail
Helicopters and drones scoured the area for days, but the harsh weather conditions posed a huge obstacle
They were able to search the entire Porter Fork trail higher up, but conditions were still too dangerous to search the upper area.
Later that day they used drones and a helicopter to look around again to no avail.
The SLCOSAR wrote that “a Good Samaritan” was responsible for finding Ethier. He reportedly found it Monday evening, buried under three feet of snow at the edge of the avalanche debris.
Ethier’s body was finally retrieved on Tuesday. The recovery of his body led to more accidental avalanches, according to authorities.
“One avalanche covered the climbing route in Upper Porter Fork, and another nearly reburied the patient,” the SLCOSAR explained.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” Sheriff Rosie Rivera said in a news release Tuesday. “Our thoughts go out to the family as they mourn the loss of their loved one.”
On Facebook, Ethier’s sister wrote that he was a “fit man” who enjoyed the outdoors. He was also a beloved son, godfather and ‘friend to all’.
Or he filled his social media page with photos of him – and his faithful dog – in various snowy landscapes.
The SLCOSAR warned snowboarders and hikers to use caution while exploring the mountains and trails within the Wasatch Range.
Ethier’s sister described him as an outdoorsman. His Facebook was flooded with photos of him enjoying snowy landscapes
Ethier’s dog was found Saturday evening along a nearby road. The next day her owner was reported as ‘overdue party’
Within just three days there were two avalanche-related deaths. Ethier’s recovery was interrupted by another disaster in a neighboring gorge
“While it is never our goal to criticize anyone involved in an accident, this should serve as a stark reminder of how unstable the snowpack is in the Wasatch right now,” the team wrote.
“We’ve had two avalanche fatalities in the last three days. Both patients traveled alone, in high-risk terrain.
“Now is the time to stick to low terrain, read the avalanche forecast, have a partner, tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back, and take rescue gear.”
As the recovery team tried to retrieve Ethier’s body Tuesday, they had to temporarily turn their attention to another avalanche burial at Big Cottonwood Canyon.
According to a statement from the Utah Avalanche Center, this incident resulted in the second victim.
The solo snowboarder, whose identity has not been released, traveled over Davenport Hill in the Silver Fork area of Big Cottonwood Canyon, which caused the avalanche that killed him.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reported that four avalanche deaths have been reported nationwide since December 15, 2024.