1 dead in Saturday afternoon avalanche at Lake Louise
One person died in an avalanche at the Lake Louise Ski Resort on Saturday.
A group of three triggered the Size 3 avalanche in a closed area called the West Bowl around 2:20 p.m., the resort said in a statement on its website.
"The individuals were swept down to the bottom of the slope. Two of the people were buried. One partially and one fully," Dan Markham, resort communications director, told CTV News Calgary.
The man who was fully buried, who was in his early 20s, did not survive.
"[Emergency responders] started life support and by the time they were able to get him back to the patrol station at the base area of the resort with EMS involved, it was determined that he had passed away," Markham said.
None of the three were wearing avalanche safety equipment, officials say.
Parks Canada is investigating, assisted by the RCMP and Calgary chief of the medical examiner's office.
'WITH THESE FRESH LINES COMES THE RISK'
Officials reminded the public on Sunday of the dangers of entering a closed area.
“It’s been a really bad snowy year for avalanche danger and that’s the reason the area was closed.
"Our team has been in there consistently trying to mitigate the situation, but it was deemed that it needed to be closed and the public needed to stay out. There’s plenty of signage available," Markham said.
“I’ve lost a couple friends before through avalanches and it’s never easy," added ski instructor James Bellenger.
He advises skiers and snowboarders check conditions before going out, stay in a group, and follow signage.
“Everyone always talks about chasing the powder, you’re chasing these lines that are completely untouched,” he pointed out.
"You’ve got to understand, with these fresh lines comes the risk.”
According to Avalanche Canada, Saturday's avalanche was Alberta's first fatal avalanche this season.
Fourteen avalanche fatalities have been reported in B.C., including one in Kaslo in January that killed two off-duty police officers who had previously worked in Calgary.
With files from CTV News Calgary's Nicole Di Donato
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Calgary woman stranded in Mexico after husband's death during diving trip
A Calgary woman is struggling to return home after her husband died while diving in Mexico, leaving her stranded and facing financial hardship.
Fugitive U.S. rioter seeks asylum in Whistler amid warnings of more to come
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill and dodging jail time in Whistler may just be the start of an asylum-seeking rush, according to a prominent legal expert.
Special national Liberal caucus meeting called for next week after regional chairs meet: sources
A special meeting of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national Liberal caucus has been called for next Wednesday, sources say.
'Inadmissible' foreign nationals to pay more upon return to Canada: CBSA
Foreign nationals who refuse or are unable to pay their own way home after being denied stay in Canada will soon face steeper financial penalties should they ever attempt to return.
N.S. community shocked by deaths of father, daughter; suspect was wanted in Toronto shooting
A Nova Scotia community is mourning the loss of two of its members after they were shot and killed in Halifax on New Year's Eve.
Sea and Himalayan salts recalled in Canada: 'Do not use, serve or distribute'
Two brands of sea and Himalayan salt are being recalled in Canada due to pieces of plastic found in the products.
Soldier who blew up Tesla at Trump hotel left note saying blast was to be a 'wakeup call' for the U.S.
A highly decorated Army soldier who fatally shot himself in a Tesla Cybertruck just before it blew up outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas left notes saying the New Year's Day explosion was a stunt to serve as a “wakeup call” for the country’s ills, investigators said Friday.
Canada pausing applications for parent, grandparent permanent residency sponsorships
Canada will not accept new parent and grandparent permanent residency sponsorship applications until further notice, according to a ministerial directive.
'It's about time': Experts in Canada support call for warnings about cancer risk from alcohol
While Canada hasn't mandated cancer warnings for alcoholic beverages, a few experts are supporting a new push in the U.S. to have the labels on the products.