Avalanche
A 19-year-old backcountry skier was killed in an avalanche in Spray Valley Provincial Park, Alberta, on Sunday, March 10.
Two skiers were on a ridge crest on The Tower. Skier 1 entered the slope and skied about 300 feet (100 meters) before Skier 2 entered and triggered the slide. Skier 2 managed to grab onto a tree and escape burial. Unfortunately, Skier 1, wearing an airbag but didn’t manage to inflate it, was caught by the avalanche and buried under six feet of snow.
“Two skiers on a ridge crest near 2400m on The Tower in Spray Valley Provincial Park began skiing a N to NE aspect slope. Skier 1 entered the slope and descended approximately 80 to 100m. Skier 2 entered the slope and after 20 to 30m, triggered the avalanche. Skier 2 was pushed into a tree and was able to hold on, where they were overtaken by snow and briefly buried.
Skier 2 was able to self extricate and quickly began a transceiver search, locating Skier 1 who was buried approximately 1.9 m. Skier 1 was dug out unresponsive and not breathing; CPR efforts were unsuccessful. Skier 2 left the scene to raise the alarm, descending without ski equipment (which was lost in the avalanche) and driving to cellphone range. The call to 911 was made at approximately 1930 MT. Kananaskis Mountain Rescue responded at first light to the scene and recovered the deceased subject on March 11, 2024.
Skier 1 was wearing an avalanche balloon pack, but it was not deployed during the event. Skier 2 was wearing an Avalung but was not able to get it into their mouth during the event.
The size 3 avalanche was 450 m wide and ran for 550 m. The crown depth varied from 20 to 70 cm, averaging 50 cm.”
– Avalanche Canada preliminary report
The danger rating for the day was ‘Considerable.’
The death is the fifth avalanche-related fatality in Canada this season. The US has seen 11 avalanche-related deaths this season.
