38-year-old Canadian man dies in avalanche while snowboarding with dog in Utah’s mountains

A Canadian man tragically died while snowboarding with his dog in Utah after an avalanche swept him underneath the snow.

David Ethier, 38, a resident of Quebec, was out in Millcreek Canyon with his black Labrador, riding a splitboard – a snowboard designed to split in two pieces – when the unforeseen incident took place.

Ethier’s pet was spotted alone that night roaming along the canyon’s Porter Fork Road and authorities identified her owner using her microchip. 

But the snowboarder’s body was not retrieved until Tuesday – after days of extensive search and recovery efforts. 

The man’s avalanche-related death was the first of two that transpired in the area within just three days. 

Following reports of an ‘overdue party’ in Millcreek Canyon on Sunday afternoon, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) discovered Ethier’s parked car at the Porter Fork trailhead.

The Search and Rescue team of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office (SLCOSAR) explained that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) initiated search activities that evening but faced challenges due to inclement weather, avalanche threats, and limited daylight hours.

Search efforts were resumed Monday morning by teams from the SLCOSAR and the Utah Avalanche Center.

David Ethier, 38, was killed by an avalanche while he was snowboarding in Utah with his dog 

He was snowboarding in Millcreek Canyon and was found along the Porter Fork trail 

Helicopters and drones scoured the area for days, but harsh weather conditions were an immense obstacle 

They were able to search higher up throughout the Porter Fork trail, but conditions were still too dangerous to scour the upper area.

Later that day, they unsuccessfully used drones and a helicopter to take another look around. 

The SLCOSAR wrote that ‘a good Samaritan’ was responsible for finding Ethier. He reportedly found him on Monday night, buried underneath three feet of snow near the edge of the avalanche’s debris. 

Finally, Ethier’s body was retrieved on Tuesday. Recovering his body sparked more accidental avalanches, authorities said. 

‘One avalanche covered the ascent track in Upper Porter Fork, and another nearly reburied the patient,’ the SLCOSAR explained. 

‘This is a heartbreaking tragedy,’ Sheriff Rosie Rivera said in a Tuesday press release. ‘Our hearts go out to the family as they grieve the loss of their loved one.’

On Facebook, Ethier’s sister wrote that he was a ‘fit man’ that enjoyed the outdoors. He was also a beloved son, godfather and ‘friend to all.’ 

Either filled his social media page with pictures of him – and his loyal dog – in various snowy landscapes. 

The SLCOSAR warned snowboarders and hikers to be cautious while exploring the mountains and trails within the Wasatch Range. 

Ethier’s sister described him as an outdoorsy individual. His Facebook was flooded with photos of him enjoying snowy landscapes

Ethier’s dog was found Saturday night by a nearby road. The next day, her owner was reported as an ‘overdue party’ 

There were two avalanche-related deaths within just three days. Ethier’s recovery was interrupted by another disaster in a neighboring canyon 

‘While it is never our goal to criticize someone involved in an accident, this should serve as a stark reminder to how unstable the snowpack is in the Wasatch right now,’ the team wrote. 

‘We have had two avalanche deaths in the last three days. Both patients were traveling solo, in High hazard terrain. 

‘Now is the time to stick to low angle terrain, read the avalanche forecast, have a partner, tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, and bring rescue gear.’

While the recovery team was trying to retrieve Ethier’s body on Tuesday, they had to temporarily divert their attention to another avalanche burial at the Big Cottonwood Canyon. 

According to a statement released by the Utah Avalanche Center, this incident resulted in the second casualty. 

The solo-snowboarder, whose identity has not been released, was traveling down Davenport Hill in Big Cottonwood Canyon’s Silver Fork area – triggering the avalanche that killed him. 

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reported that there have been four reported avalanche deaths across the country since December 15, 2024.