TERRACE, British Columbia — Three heli-skiers were killed Sunday in an avalanche north of Terrace, while a separate slide later in the day near the Alaska border claimed a fourth life, authorities said.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the first avalanche occurred around 1:28 p.m. on Mount Knauss along the Iridium Shoulder ski run, where four heli-skiers were caught.
Emergency crews responded to a nearby lodge, where one survivor with serious injuries was airlifted to a hospital. The bodies of the three other skiers were later recovered from the mountain.
Officials had warned of dangerous avalanche conditions following heavy precipitation and warm temperatures linked to an atmospheric river.
Later Sunday, a second avalanche in a remote area near the Alaska border killed another skier, according to police in Atlin.
RCMP said the slide occurred around 3:26 p.m. after an SOS alert was received from a GPS device near the Klehini River and Pleasant Camp, about 500 kilometers from Atlin.
A rescue helicopter located five people at the scene, including one person who had died. The remaining four were uninjured and were evacuated.
Avalanche Canada said the group had been ski touring when the avalanche was triggered by the fourth skier descending the slope. One skier was fully buried about 1.5 meters deep and did not survive, while another was partially buried and suffered minor injuries.
Police said the BC Coroners Service has been notified, and investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
Avalanche Canada issued renewed warnings Monday, saying dangerous conditions persist across northwestern British Columbia and the Yukon.
Over the weekend, Avalanche Canada warned of considerable avalanche risk across much of British Columbia, including areas near Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, as well as along the province’s border with Alberta.
