Western Colorado Snowboarder Killed In St. Patrick’s Day Avalanche

A western Colorado snowboarder has died after being caught in an avalanche south of Telluride.

Avalanche Near Telluride

According to the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office, 29-year-old Devin Overton of Telluride was snowboarding Thursday afternoon near Trout Lake when he was caught, buried, and killed in an avalanche about five miles southwest of the town of Ophir. The avalanche area is about 13 miles south of Telluride.

Avalanche Rescue Efforts

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center says Telluride Helitrax, a helicopter-skiing/snowboarding guide service was guiding in the area when a guide noticed a large avalanche. Two guides were dropped on the debris field and were able to get a signal and located the snowboarder with a transceiver search. Unfortunately, Overton was found buried by about six feet of snow and did not survive.

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Colorado Avalanche Fatalities

The St. Patrick's Day snow slide brings Colorado's avalanche fatality count to 5 for the current season. Last year, the CAIC reported 12 fatalities in Colorado's high country. On average, about 27 people die in avalanches in the United States every year.

Telluride Loses One of Its Own

Devin Overton worked as a server at a local restaurant in the evenings and spent his days on the slopes living his passion. On the Venture Snowboards website, where he served as an ambassador, Overton's love for snow adventures snow was evident.

Nearly every day I can stand on a big peak beside a couple of my closest friends, with thousands of feet great snow below us, as I spin in a circle identifying all the amazing places I’ve ridden my snowboard before, all the crazy places I know I’ll soon explore.” - Devin Overton

It's truly a sad day for the town of Telluride, Devin's family,  and the western Colorado snowboarding community.