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Avalanche in British Columbia Kills Three Skiers, Including Guide and Pro Snowboarder

The March 24 tragedy near Kootenay Lake highlights ongoing avalanche risks as investigations and safety warnings continue.

The RCMP logo shown in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
A naturally-triggered persistent slab avalanche in the Kootenays is shown in an undated handout photo. Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning covering much of northwestern and southwestern British Columbia as well as the Rockies stretching into Alberta, as "dangerous" conditions have developed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Avalanche Canada, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Image
Alex Pashley, left, and Jeff Keenan, right, were killed in an avalanche in B.C. on March 24.

Overview

  • Three men, including a guide and a professional snowboarder, lost their lives in an avalanche in the Clute Creek watershed, with a fourth skier critically injured.
  • The victims were part of a guided heli-skiing group operated by Stellar Heli Skiing and were swept away while waiting in a staging area below the tree line.
  • Avalanche Canada had issued a high danger warning for the region on the day of the incident due to unstable snowpack, heavy snowfall, and rising temperatures.
  • Kaslo Search and Rescue deployed a specialized team to recover the skiers, but three were found with no vital signs, and one was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition.
  • Authorities, including the RCMP and BC Coroners Service, are investigating the incident as Avalanche Canada continues to warn of dangerous backcountry conditions.