Snowmobiler Dies Near Whistler, BC After 250-Foot Fall & Partial Burial Via Cornice Failure

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) from Whistler, BC is reporting that a 52-year old male has died while snowmobiling near the Callaghan Lake Provincial Park on Saturday, February 10th, 2018.

The RCMP received a call at 3:15pm on Saturday about the accident.

Whistler Search and Rescue was sent to the scene via helicopter and reported that the man was killed after a cornice he was snowmobiling upon gave way causing him to fall 250-feet and end up partially buried in snow. 

“Upon attendance, it was determined that the snowmobiler had stopped on a cornice which subsequently collapsed.  The male, 52 years old from Nanaimo, fell approximately 250 feet onto the slope and was partially buried. Other snowmobilers in the area came to the male’s assistance, dug him out and began CPR. Despite the best efforts of everyone the male was pronounced deceased at scene.” – RCMP press release

Please always give cornices a wide berth. 

Cornice can be large this time of year and when they fail, it can be catastrophic.