Yesterday officials from Parks Canada Visitor Safety responded to an avalanche on the backcountry run known as “Vortex” outside the Lake Louise Ski Area in Banff National Park.
The Size 2 avalanche was triggered by a single skier while descending a west-facing slope at and elevation of 8038 feet. The victim was carried by the slide and partially buried but was otherwise uninjured. The deep persistent slab avalanche failed near the ground, on a layer of facets formed near a crust in November.
Parks Canada shared a video and photos of the incident as an important reminder that avalanches can happen anytime on any slope above 30 degrees, regardless of current danger ratings.
Parks Canada Warning For Visitors Entering Avalanche Terrain :
– Be prepared with the right skills, equipment, and experience to analyze terrain and self-rescue if needed.
– Always check the daily avalanche report before heading out at avalanche.ca.
– Make informed decisions and conservative choices.
