An avalanche near Kaslo killed three skiers and was extremely injured.
According to an RCMP statement, Monday’s incident occurred in an alpine area on the east side of Lake Kootenay.
Police said two groups of skiers were waiting in the staging area below the tree line in the CRUT Creek basin around 1pm.
One group of skiers escaped harm, while another group consisting of four men was cleaned.
The victims were injured by a 53-year-old guide from Kaslo, a 45-year-old tourist from Idaho, and a 44-year-old visitor from Whistler, a fourth of Whistler, Nelson.
The skiers were carried and led to the heli-skiing of the star of Kaslo.
“The entire team at Stellar Heli Skiing expresses the deepest sadness of the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy,” the company said in a statement. “Our ideas remain with them during these incredibly difficult times.”
Kootenays is currently highly rated for danger by Avalanche Canada at all elevations.
This is the second time in two years that an avalanche near Kaslo has led to death. Two Nelson police officers died in 2023 while backcountry skiing.
