BC Interior posted Jan 10, 2025 @ 11:20am by Josh Duncan

Man dies after being ‘buried in snow’ at Fernie Alpine Resort

A man has tragically died following an incident at a ski hill in the Kootenays earlier this week.

According to Elk Valley RCMP, the 67-year-old skier was found “buried in snow” in a natural terrain trap near the top of the mountain on Wednesday.

<who>Photo Credit: Fernie Alpine Resort/Facebook

He was discovered by Fernie Alpine Patrol, who police say made “tremendous efforts” alongside paramedics to keep the man alive, which included use of an AED device.

The victim was rushed to a local hospital where medical professionals spent hours trying to improve his status, the RCMP explained.

Sadly, he was eventually taken off life support and declared dead.

“It is believed poor visibility at that time led the man into a naturally-occurring terrain trap underneath one of the first lift towers of the Polar Peak lift,” the RCMP said.

Police further described the trap as a “deep oval sink hole” around 20 to 30 feet wide, which was filled with loose and undisturbed snow.”

Elk Valley RCMP is working alongside the BC Coroners Service to investigate the man’s untimely death, while RCMP Victim Services has been activated to support the victim’s family.

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