Heather Gross was an avid skier who liked to find the deep powder, according to her sister. She died as the result of an avalanche on the afternoon of December 14, 2008, at the Snowbird ski resort in Utah. Her death was the first on an in-bound route caused by avalanche at the resort since 1977.CNN.com: Avalanches in Utah kill 1 person... (December 15, 2008) FOX News: 'Extremist' Dies in Avalanche (December 15, 2008)

The avalanche that claimed Gross' life was the first on an in-bounds location at the resort since 1977. The resort uses controlled blasts during the skiing season as avalanche control, triggering the events while skiers are off the slopes. The safety team had conducted routine blasting the morning of December 14th. According to a friend who was skiing with her, Gross stopped because of a loose ski and was caught in the avalanche. Her friend called 911 from her cell phone and rescuers responded within minutes, organizing a search. It was the first day that the Mount Baldy area had been opened for the 2008 season.Deseret News: Skier killed in avalanche... (December 15, 2008)

• Salt Lake Tribune: Avalanche kills SLC woman (December 15, 2008)

• Deseret News: Skier killed in avalanche accomplished a lot ... (December 15, 2008)

• FOX News: 'Extremist' Dies in Freak Avalanche at Utah Resort (December 15, 2008)

• CNN.com: Avalanches in Utah kill 1 person, trap another (December 14, 2008)

• MyFox Utah: Female Buried in Avalanche Dies in Hospital (December 14, 2008)

• <p>KSL.com (Salt Lake City): Skier dies in unusual avalanche (December 15, 2008)

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  Video Courtesy of KSL.com