These Are The 5 Worst And Deadliest Avalanches In Colorado History

2019 has had one of the most confusing winters in recent history and – unfortunately – there is no sign of it coming to an end for close to another month. One of the many news-making events from this winter is the number of notable avalanches we have experienced, which got us thinking… just how common are these massive snow slides in Colorado? While they are not nearly as common as they once were, Colorado has seen its fair share of terrible avalanches, including these five that were particularly deadly.

Wikimedia Commons

The deadliest avalanche in our state’s recorded history occurred a few years after Colorado officials became a state. The massive slide took place in a little Denver, South Park & Pacific Railway settlement called Woodstock. Built along a notoriously avalanche-prone area, the town of 200 residents was not only destroyed on that fateful March day; 18 people also lost their lives in the deadly event.

Flickr/Edward Simpson

One of the worst avalanches in recent memory happened in the mountain town of Twin Lakes when an early morning slide came roaring off Mt. Elbert and trapped nine people. Seven of these Twin Lakes residents died, which has never been forgotten by this tight-knit community of just 200 people.

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Flickr/Sean Gillies

Early mining and railroad families just couldn't catch a break when it came to severe winter weather. Case in point: eight Whale Mine miners were killed in their bunks on January 7, 1877, when an early morning avalanche swept through and destroyed everything in its path.

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Flickr/Maureen Barlin

Telluride may be a go-to for the rich and famous, but before this, it was a go-to for steady mining jobs, which - as we now know - was a recipe for catastrophic winter conditions. In March 1902, both the Mill buildings and tramway were swept away during a historic avalanche that left 12 dead and led miners to build a re-directing rock barrier that saved the camp from another avalanche a few years later.

Flickr/Washington State Dept of Transportation

Last but not least is the Loveland avalanche of 2013, which is one we will never forget a number of reasons. It was by far the worst of the decade, tragically killed five people, and was caused by experienced skiers, making it the most deadly ski-related avalanche in the history of Colorado.

In case you missed it, Colorado’s 2019 avalanche made national news, shown here on CBS News:

For other notable Colorado disasters, click on The 7 Most Horrifying Disasters That Ever Happened In Colorado.