Three people in Lake Louise triggered a size three avalanche over the weekend, killing one person. (Photo: Parks Canada)

By Sarah Jones with files from Canadian Press

Avalanche in Lake Louise claims life of Red Deer man

Apr 24, 2023 | 11:41 AM

LAKE LOUISE, AB – A weekend avalanche in the Rocky Mountains claimed the life of an Alberta man.

On April 22, 2023, the Lake Louise Ski Resort received a call that an avalanche had occurred in a closed-off area of the resort. At approximately 2:20 p.m., Parks Canada and EMS were dispatched to the West Bowl.

Further investigation into the incident determined that a group of three people entered the closed-off area and triggered a size three avalanche, which buried two individuals and partially buried the other.

Two people were rescued, while the other, a 21-year-old man from Red Deer, did not survive.

According to a statement from the Lake Louise Ski Resort, none of the skiers were wearing avalanche safety equipment.

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The avalanche was reported to be 200 metres wide and 550 metres long with a crown depth of 40-50 cm.

In light of this incident, officials reminding people about the dangers of entering closed terrain.

Dangerously unstable snowpack has contributed to more than a dozen Canadian avalanche deaths this year, most of them in British Columbia.

Read more at Lethbridge News Now.