2 Skiers Die After Separate Avalanches in Alberta Mountains

Skiers enjoy Lake Louise ski resort in Lake Louise, Alta., on Nov. 24, 2018. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

Two people have died in separate avalanche incidents in Alberta’s backcountry this week.

Alberta RCMP say that they responded to calls of an avalanche near the Lake Louise ski resort around 3:45 p.m. on March 14.

One person was “unaccounted for” after the incident, according to RCMP.

Stuart Brideaux of Alberta Health Services EMS told The Epoch Times in an email that one individual had died in the avalanche.

“Alpine helicopters retrieved one patient from the avalanche scene down to waiting ground EMS crews,” Brideaux said. “Paramedic crews unfortunately declared the adult patient deceased and did not transport to hospital.”

In an avalanche incident report by Parks Canada on the Avalanche Canada website, it said two skiers were working their way back to a ski area after they had skied the Pipestone Bowl in an out of bounds area from the resort.

At around 3 p.m., one of the skiers triggered an avalanche. He was carried about 50 metres and buried in snow estimated to be 150–200 centimetres (1.5 to 2 metres) deep.

The second skier rescued the man from the snow and started first aid.

Police were asking the public to follow instructions of first responders and resort staff. They also asked for patience while all efforts were made to locate and rescue anyone in need.

Shortly after the first call, RCMP said they responded to a call of a second avalanche in Kananaskis Country around 4 p.m.

The avalanche was in a backcountry area off highway 742 near Mount Black Prince, RCMP said.

Police say an investigation into the incident found that four people were out skiing when the avalanche occurred.

A 34-year-old Calgary woman in the group was carried a distance away from the others and buried in the snow.

RCMP said an SOS beacon was sent out to notify emergency responders.

The three other skiers attempted to provide medical attention to the woman. However, police say she was declared deceased by first responders.

The RCMP said they send condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

Avalanche Warnings Issued

The two deaths follow a warning of avalanches in the backcountry of Alberta and B.C.

Avalanche Canada issued an alert over the potential for “dangerous and destructive” avalanches in the area between Feb. 27 and March 3.

It said that weak layers had formed in the upper snowpack due to drought periods in January and February at depths between 30 and 100 centimetres (0.3 to 1 metres). A firm slab of snow had formed over the layers, leading to precarious conditions that could trigger avalanches, the organization said.

On Feb. 17, two men were reported missing near Golden, B.C., according to RCMP. One of the men returned and said the other had died in an avalanche.

Search and rescue crews recovered the body of a 42-year-old man from Golden. He was found buried more than a metre deep in snow.

The Canadian Press and Jennifer Cowan contributed to this article.