Skiers caught in an avalanche in Banff National Park
Posted Feb 14, 2016 5:29 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A group of skiers is lucky to be alive.
Seven of the 11 were caught in an avalanche in Banff National Park. One was fully buried, another’s leg was broken and a third suffered a knee injury.
Parks Canada says, because the group was prepared and had the right equipment, they were able to act quickly.
The buried skier was dug out, and Parks staff were alerted through a satellite phone.
The slide happened Friday as the group was on the way to Bow Hut on the Wapata Icefield, north of Lake Louise. Because it was dark, they had to find shelter for the night.
A helicopter was sent in Saturday morning and carried the injured to hospital.
It was just over two weeks ago that five Alberta snowmobilers died in a large avalanche near the northern B.C. community of McBride.
In Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks, and Little Yoho, avalanche conditions are between moderate and considerable, meaning it is dangerous and skiiers and snowboarders need to carefully evaluate the snowpack beforehand.
In Kananaskis country, the risk is considerable.
If you are planning on hitting the powder, check avalanche.ca for the latest conditions.
