Skier killed in avalanche near Pemberton

PEMBERTON (NEWS 1130) – A skier is dead after an avalanche came down near Pemberton Thursday afternoon.

Sgt. Rob Knapton with Whistler RCMP says at around 2 p.m., they received an emergency beacon that was activated near Pebble Peak. The man was with a group of skiers when the slide came down, burying him.

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“The other people that were skiing with that person that was buried had probes and beacons, so they were able to locate the person as well as dig them out. Unfortunately, as a result of the avalanche, the person who got buried perished in the avalanche.”

The others in the group moved the man’s body to a local cabin, but crews weren’t able to get there until late Friday morning.

“We attended to the cabin and were able to recover the body and help extricate the other people that were currently there,” Knapton said.

The person who died was 42-year-old man from Squamish.

It’s unclear what the avalanche rating was in the area where the skiers were at the time the slide came down.

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Knapton notes the group was experienced in the backcountry and was well-equipped to be there.

“But something we want to make sure we reiterate to the public is if you’re going to go into the backcountry, please make sure you’re trained in the equipment and have equipment for yourself and the entire team.

“Also, make sure you pay attention to the avalanche forecast and what weather conditions will be when you’re out there, as well as leave a plan with somebody back where you come from so they can call us if something does happen.”

 – With files from Lasia Kretzel

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