Kalispell, MT – Searchers this morning resumed their efforts to locate a backcountry skier swept away by an avalanche in northwestern Montana.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Department, the Nordic Ski Patrol and Flathead County Search and Rescue members all headed to the Jewel Basin area in the Swan Range east of Bigfork near Kalispell on Thursday morning to search for the missing skier, one of two brothers who were skiing in the area on Wednesday when the slide struck. Search efforts were called off Wednesday night after weather conditions in the area, which included rain and snow falling, prevented searchers from operating in safety. Poor visibility has also prevented air support.

The two skiers were taking photos on a high ridge between Twin Lakes and Wildcat Lake when the avalanche occurred.The avalanche danger in the area was rated as “considerable” on Wednesday by the Glacier Country Avalanche Center.

The names of those involved have not yet been released.