Alberta man dies after avalanche near Revelstoke

An avalanche near Revelstoke claimed the life of a 58-year-old Alberta man over the weekend, according to police.

The Revelstoke RCMP says it was notified of the backcountry slide in the Sale Mountain area around 1 p.m. Sunday.

The man was part of a snow-biking group and was caught in the avalanche. Officials say he was found by some members of the group, with first aid administered.

“The other snow bikers located the subject and dug him out quickly. A separate group riding in the area came to help. While both groups were working on the rescue response, which included CPR, a connected slope released, burying some of the snowmobiles of the second group. Both of these avalanches released on a weak layer of facets over a crust which formed in early February,” Avalanche Canada explained.

Revelstoke Search and Rescue members were deployed, with the RCMP saying the man was taken to Queen Victoria Hospital by helicopter. However, despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

This marks the third avalanche-related fatality in B.C. so far this year.

“We give our sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends. We would like thank all those, including Search and Rescue, for assisting. The BC Coroners Service has now assumed conduct of this investigation,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Dodds, the Revelstoke detachment commander.

The RMCP notes avalanche danger ratings around the Revelstoke area “remain high to considerable.” It is urging people to take the necessary precautions before heading out, and to keep up to date with conditions.

Last week, Avalanche Canada issued a special public warning for parts of B.C., including the Revelstoke area, running into Monday. The organization said “a significant amount of snow” had fallen across western Canada recently, noting the snow was sitting on “prominent weak layers established during drought conditions” earlier this month.