STAMPEDE PASS, Wash. - Washington State is leading the nation in avalanche deaths this winter. Snowmobilers are considered the most vulnerable group, and that fact was made evident this week when two people were killed by slides near Mt. Baker.

Local snowmobilers are taking extra steps to cut down on the death toll.

"I've had a hillside come sliding down at me. But I just managed to get out of the way in time," said Jeff Hill. He and his nephew Ryan are getting ready to go snowmobiling east of Snoqualmie pass. They're not taking any chances with the elevated avalanche danger this weekend.

"We're definitely staying low. We're not going up any altitude at all, around any hills at all," said Jeff.

And they're equipped with the tools to stay safe, including an avalanche beacon. But, not everybody wears them, even in the back country, a long way off for search and rescue teams. 

So far this winter, 14 people have been killed by avalanches in the U.S. Nine of those are in Washington State. They include snowmobilers, snowboarders, hikers and a snowshoer.

Mick Steinman lost a good friend and a relative to avalanches in 2003 and 2004. He's the safety Chairman for the Washington State Snowmobile Association.

"We don't want people in avalanche danger zones. So we teach them how to stay out of that area," said Steinman.

This weekend in Cle Elum, the Snowmobile Association is bringing in an expert to teach safety classes.

"The challenge is getting them to think about it before they leave. Getting them to check the avalanche report, Make sure they have their safety gear. Make sure everybody is practiced with their safety gear," said avalanche safety teacher Michael Jackson.

Also, a heavy snowmobile can trigger an avalanche where a skier might not. In addition, the power of newer machines pushes the limits, particularly when it comes to the practice of "high marking," where snowmobilers challenge each other going up steep hills.