Authorities have identified the man who died in an avalanche near Copper Mountain over the weekend, marking the first avalanche-related fatality of the season in Colorado.
The Eagle County Coroner’s Office confirmed the victim as David Pickett-Heaps. Officials said he was found after being reported missing in a mountainous area near Copper Mountain.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the incident occurred in the Boss Basin area on March 7, when a person was reported missing in the backcountry. Search and rescue teams from several agencies responded to the location after concerns were raised.
During the search, responders discovered avalanche debris along with ski and snowmobile tracks in the area. Teams continued their efforts and located Pickett-Heaps the following day, March 8, within the debris field. Authorities confirmed he had died at the scene.
Investigators from the avalanche center later determined that the slide occurred near the treeline on a northeast-facing slope. Officials reported the avalanche measured roughly two feet deep, with slope angles estimated between 33 and 36 degrees in the starting zone.
Avalanches are a known risk in Colorado’s backcountry during the winter season, particularly in steep terrain. Safety experts often remind outdoor recreationists to check avalanche forecasts, travel with proper equipment, and avoid high-risk areas when conditions are unstable.
Officials say the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the avalanche is ongoing.
💬 As winter recreation continues across Colorado’s mountains, many are asking: what precautions should outdoor adventurers take to stay safe in avalanche-prone terrain?
