![](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/02/Seamus-Croak-Scott-Benge-and-Kane-Scheidegger-in-downtown-Telluride-scaled.jpg)
Avalanches kill more people in Colorado than in any other state — an average of six a year. Scott Benge from Telluride nearly became a part of that statistic. The experienced backcountry skier was buried by an avalanche and likely only survived because of the quick actions of others around him.
![](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/02/Scott-Benge-Avalanche-Survivor-photo-by-Kane-Scheidegger-1024x682.jpg)