Snowmobile skier in fatal avalanche
Red Mountain Resort
There was a fatal avalanche incident in the region north of Red Mountain - the amount of snow recently increases the risk to Considerable per the CAA and the incident only highlights the snowpack's instability. Backcountry travelers: Be aware and be safe. Use your beacons and make sure the batteries are fresh.
More details about the recent incident from Big Red Cats in Rossland:
I was called at 3:30 this afternoon by a snowmobile skier who had just dug his friend out of an avalanche on Mount Mackie, only to find that he couldn't save him. Big Red Cats was called to assist with the recovery operation, but it was already clear that his friend had passed away, and it was a recovery rather than a rescue.
There were 4 friends out snowmobile skiing in our tenure area, not guests or staff of Big Red Cats, just people using our snow roads in order to access ski terrain. One of them was unfortunately caught in a slide, buried, and suffered severe trauma. The cause of death will be determined by the Coroner during his investigation. The RCMP and Search and Rescue are securing the area prior to the Coroner's investigation. At this stage it is unclear whether the body will be recovered this evening, or in the morning when there is more light, and it can be done more safely.
I contacted our guide team as soon as we received the call and they went to assist. The RCMP were in touch quickly and we communicated via mobile phone and our radio network. They were quite clear not to put any additional people in danger, so after our guides located the victim and determined that he was no longer alive, they left the area. The incident was reported to the Canadian Avalanche Association, and the public will be notified in their bulletin.
The investigation is now in the hands of the Coroner and the RCMP. Big Red Cats will not be operating tomorrow out of respect for the avalanche victim and his friends, and in order to be able to assist with the investigation.
The incident occurred on a part of the terrain which was identified in Big Red Cats' safety plan as being prone to avalanche activity, and snow stability tests during the day did indicate increasing instability. I do not know the identity of the snowmobile skiers, or where they are from, but as they knew my phone number I fear that they may be locals. It is a tragedy that this happened, and though Big Red Cats was not involved in the accident, our condolences go out to his friends and family, and we will try to help however we can.
