Image: Avalanche Canada

By CFJC Today Staff

Avalanche fatality

One snowmobiler killed in avalanche south of Valemount

Jan 22, 2023 | 6:31 PM

VALEMOUNT, B.C. — Avalanche Canada is reporting the death of one snowmobiler Saturday (Jan. 21) in a popular backcountry area south of Valemount.

According to Avalanche Canada, two snowmobilers were riding at the base of a slope in a feature known as Bowl 3 in the Oasis snowmobile area.

In a Fatal Recreational Accident report on its website, Avalanche Canada says one person managed to ride away from the avalanche, while the other was fully buried. The survivor was able to locate the buried victim but after digging through the snow, the rider was found unresponsive.

BC RCMP has confirmed the victim is from the Grande Prairie region of northwestern Alberta. Poor weather prevented search and rescue personnel from recovering the body from the avalanche site Saturday. They were expected to attempt another recovery operation today.

In social media over the weekend, Avalanche Canada called the snowpack near Valemount dangerous and volatile. It asked backcountry users to stay well back from steep slopes and avoid any terrain where an avalanche’s consequences may be severe.

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