An avalanche in western Wyoming claimed the life of one skier and injured another on Saturday (January 4). The incident occurred in the backcountry of Togwotee Pass, approximately 20 miles east of Grand Teton National Park. A group of four skiers triggered the avalanche while ascending a steep slope at an elevation of 10,400 feet. A large slab of snow broke away, fully burying Kenneth Goff, 36, of Lander, Wyoming, and partially burying another skier who sustained leg injuries.
Teton County Search and Rescue received an alert just before noon and faced challenging weather conditions that delayed their response. A helicopter was initially deployed but had to return due to stormy weather. Rescuers reached the scene on skis nearly four hours later, treating the injured skier and recovering Goff's body. Goff, an experienced outdoorsman and nurse, had been an instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School since 2017.
This marks the fifth avalanche-related fatality in the United States this winter. The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center will continue to investigate the incident. Teton County Search and Rescue extended condolences to Goff's family and friends.