Backcountry skier dies near Mount Seymour

While no avalanche was involved the skiers appears to have been skiing in the backcountry around Mount Seymour ski area, more details below:

NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.—A 36-year-old man has died of severe head and chest injuries after falling near Mount Seymour provincial park in North Vancouver.

RCMP Cpl. Peter DeVries said Saturday that search and rescue crews were attempting to recover the man’s body after he’d tumbled down a 200- to 300-metre slope at First Pump Peak.

DeVries said poor visibility because of low clouds prevented rescuers from using a helicopter to airlift the man, who was being carried out by foot.

The man was backcountry skiing when he fell shortly before 11 a.m., DeVries said, adding he was with a friend.

“The friend had to ski out in order to call for help.”

The man’s name has not been released pending notification of his family.

DeVries said the skier, who had also been snowshoeing during the trek, is from the Vancouver area.

“We’re trying to nail down, between a couple of different addresses, where he lived,” he said.

“It’s a sad day for skiers and people who use the North Shore mountains because this is one of the greatest places in the world to use the outdoors.”

“It’s really sad for the family, and our condolences certainly go out to them.”