Avalanche Incident at Mt. Bailey Near Diamond Lake Claims Life of Bend Man

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, a group of skiers encountered an avalanche while skiing on the north/northwest side of Mt. Bailey within the motorized closure area. The group was the fourth of the day to take part in cat skiing at Mt. Bailey, a service provided through Diamond Lake Resort. Despite avalanche test digs conducted earlier in the day, the skiers faced unforeseen challenges.

The avalanche struck at approximately 3:45 PM, burying one member of the party, 50-year-old Brian Thomas Roberts of Bend, Oregon, under the snow. Fellow skiers acted quickly to dig him out, and two nurses on the scene attempted lifesaving measures. However, Roberts tragically succumbed to his injuries at the remote location.

Following the incident, the group managed to navigate about two miles to the nearest snowmobile trail, where they were met by responders and Diamond Lake Resort staff. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) evaluated others from the ski party at Three Lakes Snow Park. One additional member sustained a laceration or puncture wound—believed to be caused by a branch or ski pole—but declined ambulance transport.

Multiple agencies responded to the emergency, including Diamond Lake Resort employees, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers, and Umpqua Valley Ambulance. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s Search and Rescue Coordinator also provided support to the Sheriff’s Office during the response.