Two skiers lost their lives in separate avalanche incidents near Lake Louise and Kananaskis Country in Alberta on Friday afternoon, according to RCMP.
Parks Canada reported the first avalanche occurred at 3 p.m. MT near Pipestone Bowl, outside the Lake Louise Ski Resort. About an hour later, RCMP received a report of another avalanche in a backcountry area near Mount Black Prince.
At Lake Louise, two skiers were in the area when one triggered the avalanche, which carried the skier 50 meters and buried them under 150-200 cm of snow. The second skier used a transceiver to locate and rescue the buried individual before Parks Canada Visitor Safety transported them to EMS. RCMP later confirmed that one skier died as a result of the incident.
Parks Canada stated the region is currently at a high avalanche risk, with alpine elevations at Level 4 (“high”) and areas below the treeline at Level 3 (“considerable”). The elevated danger follows heavy snowfall, increasing the likelihood of further slides.
Dan Markham, communications director for Lake Louise Ski Resort, clarified that the avalanche did not occur within the resort and that operations remain unaffected. Emergency teams, including the Lake Louise Fire Department, Search and Rescue, Ski Patrol, EMS, Parks Canada, and STARS Air Ambulance, responded to the scene.
Meanwhile, a second avalanche near Mount Black Prince claimed the life of a 34-year-old Calgary woman. RCMP and Kananaskis Mountain Rescue responded around 4 p.m. after four skiers were caught in the slide. The avalanche carried the woman away, burying her under the snow. Despite efforts by her companions to provide medical assistance and send an SOS beacon, first responders declared her dead at the scene.
Authorities urge skiers and outdoor enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution and stay informed about avalanche conditions. The investigation into both incidents remains ongoing.
Source: Swifteradio.com
