A snowmobiler died in a Crested Butte avalanche on January 13, 2026, during a failed rescue after he didn’t return from a backcountry ride.

A man has died after being caught in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the backcountry near Crested Butte, Colorado, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Authorities confirmed the fatality during a rescue operation that began after the rider failed to return from a planned ride. The incident highlights ongoing risks associated with off-piste snowmobiling, particularly in areas with unstable snowpacks. No further details about the individual or the exact cause of the avalanche have been released.