Skier Killed by Avalanche in Gaspésie, Canada

One skier was killed and another suffered minor injuries after both were caught in an avalanche in Quebec’s Chic-Chos mountain range on Wednesday, Feb. 19. CBC News reports that the skiers were part of a group of four skiers out for a ski in the Mines Madeleine area in Gaspésie provincial park when avalanche was triggered, killing one skier and injuring the other.

• Related: Terrifying VIDEO: Woman Being Dug Out of Avalanche in Verbier, Switzerland

The slide was triggered on a steep, bowl-like slope around 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday. Two members of the party were buried while the other two dug them out. Unfortunately, they could only save one of their friends in time.

Canada has had 5 avalanche fatalities this winter while the U.S. has had 16. Please always remember to have proper gear, knowledge, and a partner when venturing out into the backcountry.