Two Skiers Rescued After Getting Stuck in Waist-Deep Snow with Phones Nearly Dead

Two skiers were rescued from a terrifying situation in New Hampshire after getting trapped in waist-deep snow during near–whiteout conditions — with only 2 percent battery life left on their cell phones.

According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, authorities were alerted Saturday afternoon to two skiers stranded on Mount Moosilauke, a popular peak located near the small town of Benton in northwestern New Hampshire.

The rescue was carried out by the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team after the skiers reported they were unable to move due to deep snow and rapidly worsening weather conditions that resembled a blizzard.

The skiers were later identified as Massachusetts residents Romain Tronchi, 30, and Gabriel Mahe, 32, according to NBC Boston.

Rescue officials said the men lost the trail amid strong winds and low visibility, leaving them stuck in waist-deep snow with no gear to continue safely. To make matters worse, their cell phones were nearly dead, with just 2 percent battery remaining when they called for help.

Rescue crews used snowmobiles to travel roughly four miles up the mountain before hiking another mile and a half through dense trees and deep snow. After battling harsh terrain and conditions for hours, they located the stranded skiers around 11 p.m.

Officials were able to guide the men back to the trail, after which the group hiked out to the snowmobiles and safely returned to the trailhead around 2 a.m.

“The conditions and terrain made for slow travel getting the lost skiers back to the trail,” the rescue team said in a statement, adding that once back on the trail, everyone was able to exit safely.

Thankfully, neither skier was injured, according to WMUR 9.

The dramatic rescue comes just months after a deadly reminder of how dangerous off-trail conditions can be in the region. In April, 39-year-old Eric Page was found unresponsive after skiing off-trail at Black Mountain Ski Area. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead, officials confirmed.

Authorities continue to urge hikers and skiers to check weather conditions, stay on marked trails, carry proper equipment, and ensure their phones are fully charged before heading into New Hampshire’s backcountry — where conditions can change fast and turn deadly without warning.