A skier has died after being caught in an avalanche during a heli-skiing trip southeast of Revelstoke on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing said the slide was triggered as one of the last guests was skiing down the route on a southeast aspect at an elevation of 2,150 metres.
“Tragically, that skier was overtaken by the avalanche and was buried by it,” stated the release.
The avalanche was classified as size 2, meaning it is large enough to bury, injure or kill a person.
“It is impossible to put into words the sorrow we feel; that sadness is shared by everyone impacted as well as our staff,” Dave Pehowich, General Manager, Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing said. “Our guests are like family to us and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of friends of the guest that was lost and all involved.”
The company said its team secured the guest and arranged transport to hospital.
“Our guides are experts and undergo extensive training over many years to certify for their roles so they can minimize risks,” Pehowich said. “However, avalanches are one of many risks to people in mountains and, similar to many outdoor activities, it’s impossible to eliminate 100 per cent of the risks in the backcountry.”
Revelstoke RCMP said it was notified by the BC Coroners Service that a person had died following an avalanche in a backcountry heli-skiing area in the Selkirk Mountains.
Police said the avalanche occurred at about 2:04 p.m. while the skier was travelling with three companions and a guide. The skier was found in the debris field under about 1.5 metres of snow. CPR was started before the person was airlifted to Queen Victoria Hospital in Revelstoke, where the skier was pronounced dead.
Counsellors have been made available to guests and staff.
