Skier caught in deadly avalanche survived using airbag

A professional skier caught in a slide on Stevens Pass that killed three fellow skiers survived by using an avalanche airbag.

Elyse Saugstad was with a group of 13 skiers in the backcountry Sunday when some of the skiers were caught in an avalanche. Three men, 41-year-old John Brenan, 46-year-old Jim Jack and 30-year-old Chris Rudolph, were killed.

"(The airbag) kept her atop the avalanche and basically saved her life," Stevens Pass General Manger John Gifford said.

 "She's a strong person, but I think she's pretty much in shock today by what happened," Saugstad's father, Mark Saugstad said. "They had a plan going, and they were planning on safe skiing, and things didn't work out."

Mark Saugstad said his daughter loves skiing and does not think the avalanche will keep her away from the mountain.