182 Global Avalanche Fatalities During Winter Of 2015/2016 (Updated)

182 Global Avalanche Fatalities In 2015/2016 Northern Hemisphere Winter Season

Avalanches are a worldwide problem. Based on information from international avalanche centers and news reports between September 15, 2015 and June 20, 2016, avalanches claimed the lives of at least 182 people in 116 avalanche incidents in 18 countries. The victims included guides, skiers, snowmobilers, snowboarders, soldiers, climbers, snow bikers, citizens, workers, and even children.

It is safe to assume that there were more avalanche fatalities during the 2015/2016 winter season than we are aware of. Some incidents go unreported, occur in far flung destinations, or  are off of Google’s mainstream media radar. There still could be additional avalanches and avalanche fatalities as the year moves on.

The following information includes the incidents that we know about as of June 20. There is a chance that this information is incomplete due to missed information or translation issues. If you know of any additional information, please pass it along and we will do our best to update this post accordingly.

Here’s a look back on the global avalanche fatalities during winter of 2015/2016:

• The USA had the most avalanche fatalities with 28 this winter.
• 26 avalanches took the lives of more than one person.
• January 2016 was the deadliest month of the 2015/2016 winter with 55 avalanche fatalities.
• The deadliest avalanche killed 10 soldiers at an army outpost on the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir.
• All snowmobile avalanche fatalities occurred in North America.

Avalanche Fatalities By Month:

• September 2015 – 7
• October 2015 – 2
• November 2015 – 2
• December 2015 – 6
• January 2016 – 55
• February 2016 – 39
• March 2016 – 47
• April 2016 – 17
• May 2016 – 6
• June – 1

Avalanche Fatalities By Activity

• Skier/Snowboarder – 76
• Citizens – 26 (Workers, Students, Shepherds, Children, Towns)
• Climbers – 27
• Soldiers – 23
• Snowmobiler – 22
• Snowshoer/Hiker – 7
• Snow Biker – 1

Avalanches By Country 2015/2016

Below you will find a table of the avalanche fatalities that we know about. Scroll right to find a link for each incident that provides more information. It is sortable so you can view by date, activity, location, country, etc.

Global Avalanche Fatalities 2015/2016 Winter Season

The majority of this avalanche information comes from the following sources:

• USA – Avalanche.org
• USA – Colorado Avalanche Information Center
• Norway – Snoskred.no
• Switzerland – SLF.ch
• Europe – European Avalanche Warning Service
• Canada – Avalanche.ca
• France – Anena.org
• Italy – Aineva.it
• Austria – Lawine.Tirol.gv.at
• WePowder.com

Avalanche fatalities affect the entire mountain community. Our thoughts go out to everyone who lost a friend, family member, or backcountry partner in an avalanche this winter. These mountain enthusiasts will always be remembered.

Note: If you choose to quote this information, please provide a link to this page. Please verify all information to ensure accuracy.