Alaska News

Colorado skier dies in avalanche near Haines; another injured

A heli-skiing guide died Tuesday morning in an avalanche northwest of Haines, according to Alaska State Troopers.

The slide occurred on Takhin Ridge, south of Mile 33 of the Haines Highway. That location on the highway is a popular loading zone for skiers boarding helicopters bound for the backcountry.

Troopers received a call about 11 a.m. that two skiers from a group of six were buried. Another group of skiers rushed to help recover them, troopers said.

One of those covered in snow was 35-year-old Telluride, Colo. resident Robert Liberman, who died in the avalanche, troopers said. Liberman was leading the group as a guide with Alaska Heliskiing, troopers said.

Another person was injured and later flown to Seattle for medical treatment. That person, a guided client, was "clinging to life," Haines radio station KHNS reported. Troopers are not releasing that person's name pending notification of next of kin.

Troopers said everyone in the group wore avalanche beacons.

Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CASEY GROVE

Anchorage Daily News

Casey Grove

Casey Grove is a former reporter for the Anchorage Daily News. He left the ADN in 2014.

ADVERTISEMENT