Three Heliskiers Die in Avalanche in Canada

27th March 2025

Three men have died in an avalanche in Kootenay Lake in British Columbia.

A fourth man is in a critical condition.

The Kaslo Royal Canadian Mounted Police said that 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.

The pilot of a transport helicopter was nearing the group when they saw an avalanche start to happen.

As Global’s Alissa Thibault reports, the tragedy could have claimed more lives if the pilot had not sounded the alarm in time.

The skiers killed were a 53-year-old guide from nearby Kaslo, a 44-year-old man from Whistler and a 45-year-old man from Idaho.

The sole survivor was a 40-year-old man from Nelson in Canada who remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Tributes have been paid to the men that died who were well-known in the local community.

“The entire team at Stellar Heli Skiing extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts remain with them during this incredibly difficult time,” the company said in a statement.