Skier Trips Avalanche at New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, Rescued by Chopper

A skier accidently triggered an avalanche Saturday morning skiing on Mount Washington, severely damaging his left leg.

The Mount Washington Avalanche Center said the man was skiing an area called Airplane Gully in the Great Gulf Wilderness with two friends around 11:35 a.m. The friends were able to ski away from the avalanche, help the injured skier, and call 911.

NH Fish and Game told WCVB that an experienced backcountry paramedic remained on the phone with the skier, identified as Dominick Torro, 30, of Bow, as his friends provided care.

A ground rescue was organized with a SnoCat ready to head up the Mount Washington Auto Road in case a helicopter from the New Hampshire Army National Guard could not safely reach Torro in the extreme and remote location, NH Fish and Game rescue officials told WCVB TV.

The helicopter successfully reached the skier. A medic was dropped from the chopper, loaded Torro, and flew him to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.

The Avalanche Center did not issue a five-scale avalanche hazard warning Saturday, but reminded skiers that just cause there's no hazard warning doesn't mean there's no danger.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via X (Twitter) @DanAlexanderNH