Three Skiers Killed, One Critically Injured in Canadian Avalanche

OTTAWA, 26 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Three skiers lost their lives, and a fourth was critically injured after being caught in a powerful avalanche in British Columbia, Canadian authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday afternoon in an alpine area on the eastern side of Kootenay Lake, approximately 700 kilometres east of Vancouver. The group had just completed a skiing run and was waiting in a staging area below the tree line when disaster struck.

According to a statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a transport helicopter was approaching the group when the pilot spotted the avalanche and sounded a warning siren.

“One group managed to escape to safety, but the other was engulfed by a cascading wall of snow,” the RCMP reported.

Emergency responders later discovered the bodies of three victims: a 45-year-old man from Idaho, USA; a 44-year-old from Whistler, British Columbia; and their 53-year-old guide from Kaslo, a small town near the site of the avalanche.

A fourth skier, a 40-year-old man from Nelson, British Columbia, survived but sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Avalanche Risk on the Rise

The incident comes amid heightened avalanche warnings in British Columbia, with authorities cautioning that unseasonably warm spring temperatures have significantly increased the risk of snow slides in the region.

British Columbia’s mountainous terrain is well known for its backcountry skiing and snowboarding opportunities, attracting adventurers from around the world. However, the province has also seen a high number of fatal avalanches in recent years.

Avalanche Canada, the national avalanche safety organisation, has urged backcountry skiers and snowboarders to exercise extreme caution, closely monitor weather conditions, and carry appropriate safety equipment when venturing into alpine regions.

This latest tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the unpredictable natural forces of the mountains, even for experienced skiers and guides.