Skier Dies in Montana Avalanche

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — A man who was back-country skiing in southwestern Montana has died in an avalanche.

Granite County Sheriff Scott Dunkerson says a group of people were skiing northeast of Philipsburg in the Altoona Lakes area Monday when the slide occurred. Dispatchers received the call at about 3 p.m.

Dunkerson was withholding the man's name until family members were notified. He declined to say how many people were skiing in the area.

The man is the fourth person to die in western Montana avalanches since Jan. 1. Including him, 22 people have died in avalanches nationwide since Dec. 26, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.