As deadly B.C. avalanche highlights heli-skiing risk, industry says safety measures in place

The deaths of three people in an avalanche inB.C.'s Interiorhave highlighted the risks associated with backcountry skiing, as forecasters have warned conditionsthis season are particularly dangerous.

RCMP said the group of heli-skierswas swept away by the avalanche not far from the Panorama Mountain Resort, about 150 kilometres southwest of Banff, Alta.

Police said everyone in the group has been accounted for, with four injured who are expected to recover.

The slide came down in an area outside of the Panorama resort'sboundaries.The group was on a tour with RK Heliski, a local company founded decades ago.

The trade organization that sets the standards for heli-skiing says the industryhas a "robust regulatory environment," while Avalanche Canada says it does not regulate backcountry access, saying education and training are the keys to safely enjoying the outdoors.

WATCH |Heli-ski company president speaks following avalanche deaths:

'Saddest day ever': Heli-skiing company president speaks following avalanche deaths

2 years ago

Duration 1:56

After three of their clients were killed in an avalanche in the B.C. Interior, RK Heliski president Tom Brinkerhoff and general manager Graham Holt spoke to the media about the safety measures they have to try to prevent tragedy.

Backcountry not being closed

Asked whether access to the backcountry should be closed for the sake of safety, B.C. Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma said the province is in contact with Avalanche Canada and is "ready to act as advised."

She notes the agency has a five-point danger scaleto measure backcountry risk. It currently defines the risk in the province as considerable, Ma says, and have upgraded their warning levels to high in some areas.

Avalanche Canada forecaster Zoe Ryansays itsmandate is to empower people with information and training to stay safe from avalanches.

"We do not intend to, nor will we ever, regulate backcountry access,"Ryan said.

She says outdoor enthusiasts can safely use the backcountry with proper knowledge and training.

"There are times where we will tell people to avoid avalanche terrain, but we will never tell people to stay out of the backcountry."

'Challenging year' for sector

Tom Brinkerhoff, president of RK Heliski, told the media on Thursday it was the "saddest day ever,'' saying guests and guides who ski with them each season are part of their family.

"It is impossible to put into words the sorrow that we feel and the sadness that is shared by our guests, their families and all of our staff,'' said Brinkerhoff.

Wednesday's deaths come after a pair of brothers from Pennsylvania died after being caught in a slide near Revelstoke, B.C., about 200 kilometres northeast of Kelowna, while on a guided heli-skiing tour in January.

WATCH |Professional skier survives an avalanche in Revelstoke, B.C., in 2020.
Note: This video does not depict the same slidementioned above.

Professional skier survives an avalanche in Revelstoke, B.C. in 2020

2 years ago

Duration 3:45

Noah Morrison made it out alive after being buried in the backcountry.

Around 44,000 heli-skiers hit B.C.'s remote mountain slopes every year, according to HeliCat Canada, the trade organization representing helicopter and snowcat ski operations.The season runs from mid-December through the end of April, employing roughly 3,000 staff.

To heli-ski, small groups of skiers are flown by helicopter to the starting point of their ski run on a mountaintop, or transported on a snowcat, a massive vehicle with caterpillar tracks designed to operate on snow and carry up to 12 guests.

A three-run day package starts at around $1,000 per person or as much as $14,000 for a more luxurious private package.

In a statement posted to its Facebook page, HeliCat Canada acknowledged it has been a "challenging year for our sector."

It says the industry has a "sophisticated and robustregulatory environment"of four interconnected but separate organizations that aimto ensure the industry "self-manages, like many other industries do, to the highest possible standards."

WATCH |Experts offer safety training as forecasters predict a severe avalanche season in B.C.:

Expert advice on avalanche safety in B.C.'s backcountry

2 years ago

Duration 1:04

Eric Dumerac of Mountain Skills Academy and Adventure and Monte Johnston of Black Sheep Adventure Sports offer up advice on equipment and training to stay safe in B.C.'s backcountry during the winter season.

HeliCat Canada says it sets operating standards and is responsible for inspection audits and an accreditation process for the sector. Operators go through an audit every five years.

The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and the Canadian Ski Guide Association offer training and accreditation for guides, HeliCat Canada says. Guides are also members of the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA), which offers training and certification. The CAA workswith Avalanche Canada to use data to supplypublic advisories about the backcountry.

The organization acknowledges that risk remains.

"Like many outdoor activities, it's impossible to eliminate 100 per cent of the risk, but our industry does its best to mitigate it with our world-class knowledge and expertise to ensure guests can enjoy the beauty and unique experience of helicopter and snowcat skiing," it said.

Ryan says there has been an "exponential increase" in backcountryusers over the past 10 years, "but avalanche fatalities have decreased in recent years," something she chalks up to improved education and training around avalanches.