Skier found alive in Montana, avalanche survivor rescued in Colorado

A 79-year-old skier survived a night in a tree well at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, Montana, after becoming lost on February 17. The skier utilized pine boughs for warmth and was able to signal for help the next day after search teams failed to locate him in poor visibility. Meanwhile, in Colorado, a snowmobiler was buried for over an hour by an avalanche near Vail Pass but was rescued alive, with search teams noting the rarity of such a survival after an hour buried under snow. Rescuers found the man thanks to a piece of fabric from his deployed airbag, which helped them locate him amidst the snow. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center highlighted the high danger of avalanches in the area, while experts noted that survival chances drop significantly after 30 minutes of being buried. Both incidents underscore the risks associated with winter sports and the importance of safety precautions.