California Man Dies After Avalanche During Heliskiing

Eric Sommer, 63, was killed in an avalanche near Alaska's Colony Glacier

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:56am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a snowy mountain landscape with skiers, conveying the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the backcountry terrain.A cubist interpretation of the treacherous backcountry terrain that claimed the life of an experienced California skier.Anchorage Today

A 63-year-old California man named Eric Sommer has died after being caught in an avalanche while heliskiing near Alaska's Lake George and Colony Glacier. Guides were able to extract Sommer from the avalanche, but he was pronounced dead at an Anchorage-area hospital.

Why it matters

Heliskiing, where skiers are transported to remote mountain locations by helicopter, carries inherent risks of avalanche and other hazards. This tragic incident highlights the dangers that even experienced skiers can face in Alaska's rugged backcountry terrain.

The details

According to Alaska State Troopers, the avalanche occurred around 2:00 pm local time. Guides were able to extricate Sommer from the avalanche, but he was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital in Anchorage.

  • The avalanche occurred around 2:00 pm on March 29, 2026.

The players

Eric Sommer

A 63-year-old man from California who was killed in the avalanche while heliskiing.

Alaska State Troopers

The law enforcement agency that investigated the incident and provided details about the avalanche and Sommer's death.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks of backcountry skiing and the need for even experienced skiers to exercise extreme caution when venturing into remote, avalanche-prone areas.