Winter sport enthusiasts are heading to ski resorts and backcountry slopes ahead of the long Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. But a massive winter storm that dumped snow across much of the western U.S. also brought a high risk of avalanche conditions. The first reported U.S. avalanche death of the season happened Wednesday in California. And on Thursday, two men were rescued and a third died after they were caught in an avalanche in Idaho. To stay safe, people who enjoy activities in the snowy backcountry should check the avalanche forecast before heading out and make sure they have the right gear.
