A professional skier survived an avalanche that killed three other people Sunday. Elyse Saugstad's survival near Stevens Pass in Washington State is making international headlines.
Elyse is no stranger to the slopes or the spotlight. She is the 2008 Freeride World Champ and is married to pro skier, and Santa Cruz native, Cody Townsend. She thought a weekend of chasing powder "out of bounds" would be a routine adventure.
"You make your way down the mountain and you ski to safe spots," said Elyse.
But her next safe spot became a danger spot. An avalanche barreled in from behind, knocking her and three other skiers down.
"As it started, my first thought was, 'Oh, this isn't that big.' Within a second, it immediately became much more," said Elyse.
Avalanches move fast. Experts think this one had the power to move a freight train.
"It feels like your in a washing machine," said Elyse. "Your body definitely wants to panic and you want to get out of there as fast as you can. But, it doesn't help the situation."
Elyse was completely buried, except for her face and arms.
The the three men she was with fell 1500 feet and died.
Elyse credits a backpack with an airbag device to saving her life. She didn't realize, until she talked to rescuers, just how lucky she was.
"It was very shocking to know that one of the victims we saw was literally three feet to my left. You think it's just yourself and then you realize these people were buried right next to me," said Elyse.
According to the King County Sheriff's Office, CPR was performed on the three people, but it was unsuccessful.
