Backcountry skier dies in Whistler avalanche, three others rescued
Posted February 12, 2021 6:44 pm.
Last Updated February 12, 2021 7:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WHISTLER (NEWS 1130) — One person has died after an avalanche Friday afternoon in Whistler trapped at least four skiers.
Crews were called out to the area near Blackcomb Glacier after a size three avalanche around 3:20 p.m.
“Multiple skiers were swept up in the avalanche. Four people were located: two were located with injuries, one was uninjured, and unfortunately, one was pronounced deceased by a doctor in the area,” says a statement from RCMP.
Police, avalanche technicians, and a team of dogs will be searching the area Friday evening to try to see if anyone else was trapped or buried by the avalanche. Whistler RCMP want anyone who knows of someone who was in the area and is overdue to call them as soon as possible.
Friday’s avalanche comes amid increased risk in the area, something police are urging anyone venturing out into the backcountry to take into consideration.
“We have said this multiple times already this year, the snowpack in the backcountry of the Sea to Sky is unstable and is subject to considerable and high avalanche risks,” says Sgt. Sascha Banks.
Crews in the area rescued three other skiers in the area in the 24 hours before the fatal avalanche.
Two backcountry skiers were trapped by an avalanche near Garibaldi Provincial Park on Thursday, and rescued by helicopter. One was injured, but Banks says both were well-prepared.
“I cannot stress enough that you need appropriate avalanche equipment, train how to use it, recognize risk, and have up to date beacons/transceivers and that you know how to use them. These exact things saved lives yesterday in Garibaldi Provincial Park.”
A few hours later, a skier got lost in the backcountry in the Elfin Lakes area. After finding the man’s vehicle Thursday, search and rescue crews began “searching throughout the tough and hazardous terrain.” The man was found Friday afternoon and “is being treated for extensive exposure.”
