Avalanche
Industry News
A day after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that three heli-skiers were killed in an avalanche near Terrace, British Columbia, new details have emerged about the victims, the operator involved, and multiple investigations now underway.
Heli-ski operator White Wilderness Heliskiing was identified as the heliski operator in question. The company has confirmed it has halted operations until further notice following the March 22 slide on Mount Knauss, as authorities and regulators examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
- Related: 3 Heli-Skiers Killed in Avalanche Near Terrace, BC, as Dangerous Conditions Grip Backcountry
According to media reports, the three victims were a Swiss businessman from eastern Switzerland and his two sons, adding a devastating dimension to what was already one of the deadliest avalanche incidents in Canada this season. A fourth person—identified by the company as one of its guides—survived but sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing surgery in Vancouver.
- Related: White Wilderness Heliskiing, BC, Ordered to Shut Down After 9 Years Without Proper Approvals
The avalanche struck a group of four heli-skiers on the Iridium Shoulder run, where all were reportedly fully buried. According to White Wilderness guiding manager Michael Brackenhofer, the group was located and extricated within 15 minutes using transceivers and visual clues, including deployed airbags. Despite the rapid rescue response, three of the skiers did not survive.
In addition to investigations by the RCMP and the BC Coroners Service, the province’s workplace safety authority, WorkSafeBC, has now launched its own inquiry. The agency classified the incident as a “serious workplace incident,” meaning investigators will examine not only the cause of the avalanche but also whether proper safety protocols were followed and if similar incidents can be prevented.
WorkSafeBC emphasized that employers operating in avalanche terrain are legally responsible for:
- Conducting hazard assessments by qualified professionals
- Continuously monitoring conditions
- Ensuring staff are properly trained and supervised
- Halting operations when conditions are deemed unsafe
The investigation comes amid heightened concern about avalanche risk across British Columbia, following a deadly stretch of conditions driven by a recent atmospheric river that brought heavy precipitation, warming temperatures, and an unstable snowpack. Forecasters from Avalanche Canada had warned of considerable to high avalanche danger in the region leading up to the incident, noting that buried weak layers combined with new snow and wind loading created the potential for large, destructive slides. March is statistically one of the most dangerous months for avalanches in British Columbia, as the snowpack transitions toward spring while still harboring deep instabilities.
At least eight avalanche-related deaths have been recorded in the province this season, including multiple fatalities in recent weeks.
White Wilderness was founded in 2015 by Swiss nationals Marcel Schneider and Martin Jäger, who converted a fishing lodge into a winter base for heli-ski tours. The company has long marketed to international guests seeking remote powder skiing experiences in the Coast Mountains. The deadly avalanche comes as the company has faced scrutiny in the recent past over its operations and was ordered to shut down in May 2025 by British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Commission, following a decision finding improper land use within the province’s Agricultural Land Reserve. The heliski operation has continued despite the order, claiming it does not require them.
An anonymous source contacted SnowBrains to report a concerning culture at White Wilderness, describing pressure to continue skiing despite challenging conditions. In addition, the inside source cited concerns about communication, organization, and the handling of safety issues internally.
“There is a strong culture of pushing forward despite conditions… especially when it comes to keeping guests skiing,” the source said. “I personally do not feel confident in how this operation is run from a safety perspective.”
It is important to note that SnowBrains could not independently verify these claims. Authorities have not indicated any findings of wrongdoing at this stage, and investigations remain ongoing. We have reached out to White Wilderness for comment.
White Wilderness has suspended all heli-skiing activities while the multi-agency investigation into what exactly happened on Mount Knauss is underway. “The WWH team sends its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the three guests who lost their lives,” Michael Brackenhofer, the company’s guiding manager, wrote in a statement.
More updates are expected as officials release further details in the coming days.
My thoughts are with the families and everyone affected by this tragedy. It’s incredibly hard to take in.
I’ve experienced White Wilderness both as a guest and as a travel agent working within the industry, and my impression has always been very clear — the team has been highly professional, experienced, and serious about what they do.
From an industry perspective, they’ve consistently stood out as a well-run operation with a strong and knowledgeable guiding team. That’s also why I personally have confidence in how they operate.
Wishing strength to everyone involved during this very difficult time.