FIVE CAUGHT IN WHISTLER AVALANCHE, NONE INJURED

A skier-triggered size 2 avalanche occurred in the Whistler area last Thursday on the West face of Mount Pattison. All 5 skiers on slope were caught in the slide as they were ascending Mount Pattison around 7pm.  Miraculously, none were injured, and only one ski pole was lost. Four members of their party were partially buried and managed to self-extricate before digging out the fifth, who was buried up to his neck. 

Whistler Search and Rescue, who responded to the incident, advise public in the Sea to Sky area to use extra caution when travelling in avalanche terrain as hazards are elevated and far from typical for this time of year. 

Ironically, the avalanche occurred the same day as the opening of the Whistler Bike Park. 

Read the AvCan MIN report here.