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Teton County Search and Rescue saw fewer calls but several fatalities this winter

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Via the Wyoming News Exchange

JACKSON (WNE) — Last winter was less busy in terms of call volume for Teton County Search and Rescue, but several accidents were serious and challenging, with a few ending in fatalities.

That’s according to the Search and Rescue midyear report which outlined the agency’s work over the winter.

Between Dec. 1 and May 31, rescuers assisted 19 snowmobilers, 10 skiers or snowboarders, five hikers, two climbers, one Nordic skier, one dog sledder, one hunter and six false alerts. That’s 45 total “calls for service,” which is 17 fewer call-outs than the agency responded to over the same period in the winter of 2024 to 2025, officials said in a recent news release.

But four snowmobile accidents resulted in deaths and one skier died in an avalanche in the backcountry terrain off Teton Pass.

Most people needing rescue were men, accounting for 59% of call outs. In the winter of 2022 to 2023, men accounted for 59 — or 84% — of Search and Rescue’s 70 operations.

About a third of Search and Rescue’s rescues were for people aged 16 to 30; 37% were for people aged 31 to 45; 16.5% were for people aged 46 to 60 and 13.5% were for people older than 60. 27% of people needing assistance were from the Jackson Hole area; 9% were from the Teton region; 35% were visitors and 29% were from unknown locations.

This story was published on July 20, 2026. 

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