A skier attempts to ski out of the avalanche in Harvey Pass. Photo: Avalanche Canada
The winter season hasn’t even technically begun yet in British Columbia, Canada, but backcountry skiers have already managed to trigger two avalanches in one day on Rogers Pass – a touring mecca for lovers of wild snow. Both incidents occurred on Saturday, November 8, just before the opening of the winter permit season.
The first avalanche happened around noon, when four skiers were descending Balu Pass. According to a report from Avalanche Canada, the first skier dropped in just below the pass, where it is steepest, and stopped on top of a rocky cliff. A second skier dropped in and triggered the slope, which sent the first skier over the cliff. He eventually came to a stop 150 to 300 feet below, half buried. Luckily, the worst of the skier’s injuries were some bruises and a lost ski.
Only an hour later, another four skiers were descending Harvey Pass, further south. According to another report from Avalanche Canada, one of the skiers inadvertently triggered a size 1-1.5 avalanche, causing them to be knocked down and carried in a sitting position about 150 feet. Once again, the skier encountered a stroke of luck, as their torso remained above the snow and they were able to dig themself out when the avalanche stopped.
