A skier in the backcountry was recently caught in an avalanche, getting buried in snow up to their waist and swept down a slope near Lake Louise. Fortunately, the skier emerged from the incident without any injuries.
Parks Canada promptly responded to the avalanche on the backcountry run known as the “Vortex,” situated outside the Lake Louise Ski Area boundary in Banff National Park. The incident was recorded on video and shared publicly by Parks Canada as a cautionary measure for other mountain users.
The skier triggered a size 2 avalanche while descending a slope at approximately 2,450 meters elevation, as reported by Parks Canada. According to Avalanche Canada, a size 2 avalanche is significant enough to potentially bury, injure, or even cause fatalities to individuals. The avalanche was classified as a “deep persistent slab,” indicating a heavy layer of snow atop a weaker layer near the ground, making avalanches larger and more destructive when the weak layer collapses.
Barry Blanchard, a guide with the Yamnuska Mountain School in Canmore, noted that the avalanche left bare rock in its path, indicating the extensive snow movement. He highlighted the presence of rocks around the skier as they descended the mountain, emphasizing their luck in avoiding traumatic injuries.
Parks Canada praised the skiers involved in the incident for being experienced, well-equipped, descending one at a time, and having a safe regroup location. Avalanche forecaster Tyson Rettie highlighted the challenges in forecasting and recognizing deep persistent slabs, which do not always show warning signs before a large avalanche occurs.
As avalanche danger is currently moderate in alpine areas in Kananaskis Country and the Banff region due to the risk of triggering deep slab avalanches, backcountry skiers are advised to exercise caution. Rettie emphasized the importance of carrying essential rescue gear and checking the daily avalanche forecast before venturing into avalanche terrain.
In conclusion, while it remains uncertain if the deep persistent slab danger will persist throughout the ski season in the Bow Valley, individuals engaging in backcountry skiing should remain vigilant and prepared for potential accidents.