Snowmobiler dies in avalanche near Chetwynd, B.C.

B.C. has recorded its first avalanche-related fatality of the year after a snowmobiler died in a slide southwest of Chetwynd over the weekend.

Avalanche Canada says the rider was with two other snowmobilers when they were buried in the slide in the Hasler riding area on Saturday.

“The rider was located and extracted by snowmobilers at the scene, but did not survive,” the agency explained Sunday.

Few details are available about the incident “due to the lack of daylight and elevated avalanche danger experienced by rescuers on scene.” However, Avalanche Canada says it happened in a chute feature at the treeline.

“The east-facing start zone was reported to be wind-loaded. It is suspected to have failed on a layer of facets that formed earlier in January. The avalanche ran for approximately 250 [metres],” the organization explained.

Avalanche Canada notes the danger rating is currently elevated “across almost all” of its forecast regions “as the warm stormy weather continues to destabilize the snowpack.”

“In many areas, travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended,” Avalanche Canada warned.

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Randy Gulick, a level-two avalanche practictioner with Tumbler Ridge Search and Rescue, says the weather is increasing the risk of avalanche in the backcountry.

“The first 24 hours after a new storm slab is the most dangerous snow conditions you can be in. And then there’s rapid warming — has it warmed to zero or near in the last 24 hours? That’s another red flag,” he explained.

“We just received a huge amount of rain over the last few days in the high country. So that’s all, of course, seeped into the snowpack and made the snowpack much more fragile than it used to be.”

He says even with all the necessary precautions, avalanches are always a possibility. Still, he says you should always be prepared when you’re heading out.

“Get the forecast, get the gear, get the training. And that’s just to get you started in the backcountry. If you’re going to go into the mountain, it doesn’t matter whether you’re walking, skiing, or snowmobiling, you’re in avalanche terrain,” Gulick said.

The area where the fatal avalanche happened has a danger rating of high in the alpine and treeline Monday, with the rating listed as considerable below the treeline.

Conditions are forecast to improve slightly for Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the organization.

-With files from Anthony Atanasov