North America closed out March with a total of 51 avalanche deaths, nearly double last year’s total for the entire season and the second highest level in 13 years, according to avalanche.org.


As of April 11, the latest death had occurred March 29 near Blue River, British Columbia, where a snowmobiler died. Of the 35 U.S. and 16 Canadian fatalities, 18 were snowmobilers, 15 were skiers and 5 were snowboarders. There were four fatal incidents in March that killed one person each in Alaska, Idaho, Quebec and British Columbia. The most fatal season in recent history occurred during the 2002-2003 winter, when avalanches killed 30 Americans and 28 Canadians. 


Despite the best snow pack in decades in many Western states, most ski areas will close this week as required by federal leases.