Horribly icy conditions on Mount Washington are somewhat unusual for the month of March but this year the risk is real.

According to WMUR 9, two skiers are recovering from serious injuries they sustained after encountering ice on the tallest peak in New England over the weekend. The accidents involved separate groups of skiers. The first incident occurred when a skier from Vermont lost his footing on Hillman’s Highway and tumbled over 900 feet of snow, ice, and rocks.

In an interview with WMUR 9, Frank Carus of The Mount Washington Avalanche Center commented on the technical nature of the first rescue saying, “We used ropes and snow anchors to lower the patient until we could slide him into Hermit Lake Courtyard to what’s a really tight landing zone.” Luckily, the weather allowed for a helicopter to extract the victim.

Always check conditions on Mount Washington by checking The Mount Washington Avalanche Center and always #KBYG

The second incident involved a skier from Quebec, who lost control above Tuckerman’s Ravine. He too fell a significant distance. Carus claims the second group was “not very well-equipped” for travel in the Mount Washington area.

The second victim was airlifted just before nightfall.

Find the entire WMUR 9 article here: 2 seriously injured in long sliding falls down Mount Washington