Local avalanche makes safety concerns a reality

While hiking the backcountry near Cameron Pass on Sunday, three Fort Collins' men encountered a life-threatening avalanche.

According to the Coloradoan, two of the men escaped unhurt, while the third remains in a coma at Medical Center of the Rockies.

Despite being experienced backcountry skiers equipped with the right gear, the group encountered the slide while trying to traverse a slope and reach a safer place to descend 'Hotdog Bowl', a well-known spot near Zimmerman Lake. Luke Mason, the only member of the group that wished to be identified, spoke out Tuesday about the horrific experience.

"I knew it was dangerous where we were, but going in the trees was very difficult because the snow was so deep," Mason told the Coloradoan.

The avalanche barely missed Mason and the second group member and hit the third dead on, engulfing him in 2 1/2 feet of snow. Mason and his surviving friend were able to locate their friend using their beacons and performed CPR until he regained a pulse and began breathing.

Bill Cotton, a seasoned rescuer who arrived to rescue the group, noted that this was the only rescue he'd encountered where the buried person survived. Cotton credited the man's rescue to his friends' knowledge and skill with their equipment.

The Colorado Avalanche Center is predicting more of these incidents throughout the season due to the way the snowpack is forming. So if you were considering heading into the backcountry without proper training, you may want to reconsider.

Films for every fancy

There are so many great snowboard films out this season, I decided to use this entry to highlight some of the best in a few different categories.

If you favor street riding:

• We're People Too - this film by MDPeople features riders like Austin Smith, Nima Jalali, Jon Kooley and Brian Fox on heavy street rails, ledges and wall rides

For the backcountry lovers:

• Optimistic - this movie is all about fresh powder, crazy antics and seasoned veterans showing their talents. Featuring riders like Mark Frank Montoya, Danny Davis and Nicolas Muller, Absinthe Films really delivered this time.

If you like to see the ladies shred:

• La la Land - this flick is all about the ladies. Laura Hadar, Leane Pelosi, Anne Flore-Marxer, Hana Beaman and Tara Dakides, along with many others, shred the park, street and powder in this project by Runway Films.