A 34-year-old Lake Louise woman died Tuesday morning after falling roughly 600 meters (1,968 feet) while skiing in a remote area of Banff National Park near Moraine Lake, according to Parks Canada, a federal agency responsible for protecting and managing national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. The skier was part of a group of three who began descending the 3/4 Couloir early in the morning. According to James Eastham, public relations and communications officer for Parks Canada, the woman fell shortly after the group started their descent around 7 a.m.
The fall was witnessed by another member of the public, who contacted Parks Canada for help. Parks Canada’s visitor safety specialists responded by helicopter and used a long line to extract the skier from the mountain.
“The skier was transferred directly to [Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS)] air ambulance at the Moraine Lake lakeshore parking lot,” Eastham said in a statement. “Unfortunately, they sustained fatal injuries during the fall.” STARS confirmed they were dispatched to the scene but were not required for medical transport.
RCMP said the skier was pronounced dead at the scene. Cpl. Gina Slaney, spokesperson for the Alberta RCMP’s southern district, expressed condolences to the woman’s loved ones on behalf of the force. “RCMP sends condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” Slaney said in a media release. Parks Canada also extended its sympathies to those impacted by the incident. No additional information about the skier was released as of press time.
Moraine Lake, located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, is a popular but challenging destination for backcountry skiing, with steep couloirs and variable snow conditions requiring advanced skill, proper gear, and attentive caution.
