Tragedy struck Joffre Lakes Park near Pemberton, British Columbia, where an avalanche claimed the life of one snowboarder. Pemberton RCMP reported the incident on Tuesday afternoon after receiving a report of a missing person at Joffre Peak.
Avalanche Details
The snowboarder, who was snowboarding alone, was caught in an avalanche triggered from the top of a slide path. Witnesses at Keith’s Hut observed the incident and alerted authorities. After a search operation, rescue members located the individual approximately 1.5 meters deep in snow later that evening.
Rescue Operation
According to Pemberton Search and Rescue president David MacKenzie, the avalanche was considerable in size. Experienced members of the rescue team described it as one of the largest avalanche paths they had encountered. The recovery operation is ongoing, as confirmed by RCMP Inspector Robert Dykstra.
Recent Avalanche Incidents
This fatality marks the fourth avalanche-related death in British Columbia for the current season. It follows a recent spate of deadly incidents:
- A skier was buried in an avalanche east of Revelstoke last Thursday.
- A snowmobiler died following an avalanche near Fernie the previous Tuesday.
- In December, another snowmobiler lost their life in Tumbler Ridge, northeast B.C.
Avalanche Risks
Following a storm over the weekend, avalanche danger levels spiked across southwest B.C. The risk in the Sea-to-Sky area was rated as high on Monday, later downgraded to considerable on Tuesday. “Considerable avalanche danger,” a third-highest risk level, indicates serious conditions.
Forecasters warned that conditions may worsen again with expected new snow and strong winds on Wednesday afternoon. Avalanche Canada has advised that avalanche risks remain considerable for alpine terrains throughout the region.
Joffre Lakes Park Statistics
Joffre Lakes Park is a popular destination, attracting approximately 180,000 visitors annually. The park implemented day-use passes in 2021 to manage the increasing number of visitors. As outdoor enthusiasts flock to the area, safety remains a top priority.
