Search for Missing Skier Continues After Avalanche Near Bigfork

Authorities say a skier is missing after being swept away by a large avalanche near Bigfork in northwestern Montana. Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said Wednesday night that crews were still trying to get to the remote area near Twin Lakes in the Jewel Basin Hiking Area.

Flathead National Forest spokesman Wade Muehlhof says the missing skier was wearing an emergency transmitter, and his brother reported the accident Wednesday afternoon. A helicopter with search crews aboard was dispatched to the area but was unable to reach the site because the flight ceiling was too low in the mountainous terrain.

Curry says searchers were hiking in from a staging point about 2 ½ miles from the slide. (AP)