A backcountry skier lost their life in an avalanche near Joffre Peak, close to the renowned Joffre Lakes Park in British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky region, on Tuesday.
Pemberton RCMP received a missing person report around 2 p.m. PT. The individual was last seen skiing in the backcountry near Joffre Peak and Mount Matier, east of Pemberton, specifically around the Anniversary Glacier.
RCMP Insp. Robert Dykstra confirmed an avalanche occurred in the area. “Pemberton SAR located the missing person deceased and recovery is ongoing,” Dykstra stated Tuesday evening.
Season’s Fourth Fatality
This marks British Columbia’s fourth avalanche-related death this season and the third within the past week. A skier perished after burial in an avalanche east of Revelstoke on Friday. Last Tuesday, a snowmobiler died near Fernie. In December, another snowmobiler succumbed to an avalanche near Tumbler Ridge in northeast B.C.
Elevated Avalanche Risks
Officials note spiking avalanche dangers across southwest B.C. following a recent storm. The Sea-to-Sky area faced high danger on Monday, downgraded to considerable risk Tuesday—the third-highest level on a five-step scale, below high and extreme.
Avalanche Canada reports considerable risk persists in alpine terrain throughout southwest B.C. Forecasters warn of potential spikes Wednesday afternoon due to new snow and strong winds.
Joffre Peak lies within Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, which attracted about 180,000 visitors annually in 2021 prior to day-use pass requirements.
