42-year-old woman from New South Wales, Australia was killed on Blackcomb Mountain after a Class 1 avalanche was triggered in closed terrain on Thursday, Feb. 21.
Whistler Blackcomb (WB) Ski Patrol was called to the closed area over Lakeside Bowl in response to “a snowboarder incident” that triggered the slide, according to a release from WB. The woman was transported to the Whistler Health Care Centre and, after further emergency care and evaluation, was pronounced dead, WB said. A 36-year-old man, meanwhile, was later rescued from the area, but Whistler Blackcomb did not elaborate on his condition.
“Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends,” said Pete Sonntag, Whistler Blackcomb COO, in the release.
RCMP and the Coroners Service have been notified and the Coroners Service is investigating “to determine how, where, when and by what means she came to her death,” WB said in the release.
Due to privacy concerns, the Coroners Service will not be releasing the woman’s identity at this time.
While Avalanche Canada has released a special avalanche warning for the South Coast, the area does not currently cover the Sea to Sky region. The avalanche rating for the Sea to Sky on Friday is rated at moderate for the alpine and treeline.
