BILLINGS- New details from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center reveal a 36-year-old Bozeman man fell nearly 1,000 feet in an avalanche before dying in the slide Tuesday afternoon.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Peter Lazar, who was skiing solo when he triggered the slide.
The avalanche center reports through its initial investigation of the avalanche that the slide happened on the west side of the Bridger Mountains at the Top of Truman Gulch.
A separate couple, who was heading up the mountain, saw the slide occur and went to help Lazar.
Lazar was swept under the snow and forced downhill but was found with his hand sticking out of the snow.
Laza was dug out by the nearby couple but couldn’t be revived with CPR.
Gallatin Avalanche Center officials said they are deeply saddened by the tragic accident and that Lazar is a well-known and beloved local resident.
