Three people are feared to be dead after being buried by a large avalanche while on a guided heli-skiing trip near Girdwood, Alaska, authorities said. (Dreamstime) Three skiers identified Thursday as feared killed in an Alaskan avalanche had Minnesota connections.

Alaska State Troopers continue to search for three backcountry skiers who are missing after an avalanche earlier this week.

It appears to be the first fatal avalanche this winter in Alaska and the country's deadliest since an avalanche in Washington's Cascade Mountains killed three climbers in 2023.

Dangerous avalanche conditions in the area persist, stalling recovery efforts and prompting warnings from forecasters.

A trio of skiers is likely buried under an avalanche near Anchorage, Alaska, that occurred Tuesday afternoon, but dangerous backcountry conditions have so far stymied recovery operations, officials announced.

Linder is one of the co-owners of Radio Mankato, with managing partner Matt Ketelsen paying the following tribute: "I will remember Dave Linder as an amazing family man, one of the smartest people I've ever known, and someone who lived life to the fullest.

Officials at the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center have confirmed that three skiers on a heli-skiing tour died in an avalanche near Girdwood, Alaska, southeast of Anchorage, this week. The avalanche occurred on March 4 at about 3:30 pm.

A massive avalanche in Alaska has buried three skiers, who are now presumed dead, while a fourth skier managed to escape unharmed. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities battle harsh conditions to locate the missing.