Three heli-skiers were killed Monday after an avalanche in southeastern B.C. swept them away, according to RCMP.
The RCMP said the avalanche occurred around the village of Kaslo, on the east side of Kootenay Lake, at about 1 p.m. PT.
Two groups of skiers had just finished skiing the bowl and were waiting in a staging area below the tree line of the Clute Creek watershed. A transport helicopter was nearing the group when the pilot observed an avalanche and sounded the siren," the RCMP said in a news release.
One group of skiers was able to get out of the way, but the other group of four was swept away into the tree line, RCMP said.
On Monday, Avalanche Canada rated the danger in the area around Kootenay Lake as high, from the alpine to below the treeline.
Heli-skiing is a pursuit for those with more money than sense. It’s unfortunate that people have lost their lives but I really don’t have much sympathy left in the tank for the rich.
I live in an area that has lots of heli skiing, and while your general assessment of it being a rich person’s hobby is correct, this late in the season is generally locals that saved for a trip for the whole year and now get to book with heavy rebates.
While I’m not saying that’s the case here, I’d still err on the side of sympathy.
[Edit] Turns out the founder of Dinosaurs will Die was killed in that avalanche (source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tributes-3-heli-skiers-killed-avalanche-1.7493921). Rest in peace Jeff, and ride on in the afterlife.