Yeah... I used to have a beacon.. It saved my life 2 times now... once skiing backcountry in Desolation Wilderness, me and some guys went up and tried to ski some of the crystal range, cornice just like the one you described fell and buried me. The avalung and the beacon saved my life, avalung gave me air for about 2 hours and my friends were able to locate me and unbury me.
woot. scary shit lol.