Skier Dies in Avalanche in the British Columbia Backcountry

Originally posted on SNOWBOARDER | By Josh Sullivan | Last updated Feb 19, 2025 3:51 PM ET

A 42-year-old skier died in an avalanche on Monday, February 17, 2025 in British Columbia. It is the first avalanche death of the season in Canada, according to Avalanche Canada.

The first skier in a group of two triggered a wind slab avalanche at Kapristo Mountain near Golden. The size 2 wind slab slide funneled into a confined gulley, and ran 990 meters in length.

The skier was found near the toe of the avalanche, and was dug out 120 centimeters below the surface, the Avalanche report states. The slide happened at 2,280 meters of elevation. There were two skiers present for the slide. The surviving skier was forced to leave his partner at the location to ensure his own safety, a statement from the Golden-Field Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

“Even a shallow avalanche in consequential terrain can be serious,” the RCMP said in a post on social media. “Right now, we’re particularly wary in regions where it is possible for avalanches to step down to a deeper weak layer.”

This article first appeared on SNOWBOARDER and was syndicated with permission.

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