Replying to Snow Slide Traps Vehicles On Loveland Pass

DILLON, Colo. -- A Colorado Department of Transportation said a snow slide on Loveland Pass trapped several vehicles Friday afternoon.

Stacey Stegman with CDOT said walls of snow on the side of the highway sometimes build up quite high as a result of plowing and apparently one of the snow walls gave way, spilling snow onto a switchback below

The slide caught several vehicles but no injuries were reported.

The highway was closed at about 4:12 p.m., so that the vehicles could be removed and the road sanded, according to Trooper Heather Cobler.

Colorado Avalanche Information Center Director Ethan Greene said it appeared to be a relatively small, natural avalanche that closed one lane of U.S. Highway 6.

"This area gets a lot of wind-loading of snow," Greene said.

In the last few days, 20 mph to 40 mph winds have been blowing on Loveland Pass, according to Greene.

Steady winds pushing fresh snowfall "can actually load up those slopes much faster than a regular snow storm," he said. "The snow builds up, increasing the weight of the snow pack until it breaks."

A natural, wind-driven avalanche closed Berthoud Pass earlier Thursday, he said.

The slide occurred on the west side of the pass in Summit County.

The highway was still closed at 6:15 p.m.