Avalanche
A 34-year-old local man was killed by a class 1 avalanche inbounds at Whistler Blackcomb, BC, on Tuesday 5th April 2022.
The incident happened in the Peak Chair area, on Whistler Mountain, which was open to the public.
Hundreds of skiers had lined up for the opening of the chair following up to three feet of fresh snow the previous 48-hours. The chair had been closed since Sunday.
A Whistler Blackcomb spokesperson confirmed ski patrol responded to a “ski incident” Tuesday at the base of West Ridge, a black run between the lower sections of Whistler Bowl and West Bowl. After attempting to resuscitate, the man was pronounced dead on Whistler Mountain.
“Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Ski Patrol, and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends”
– Whistler Blackcomb COO Geoff Buchheister
The avalanche rating for the day was ‘considerable.’ Avalanche Canada noted, “the recent storm snow is expected to be touchy on Tuesday and human-triggered avalanches are likely.”
Today’s forecast is ‘high’. Major warming with periods of strong spring sun is expected to create dangerous avalanche conditions on Thursday and a natural avalanche cycle is possible in the afternoon.
The fatality is the fifth avalanche-related death in Canada this winter and the 20th in North America.
The caption of the last picture is wrong. That is inbounds too, it’s the Blackcomb glaciar run.
Edited accordingly. Thank you.