On Friday, March 14, 2025, tragedy struck at the Lake Louise Ski Resort when an avalanche claimed the life of one skier and left another fighting for their life after being buried under hundreds of centimeters of snow. The incident occurred around 3:00 PM, just hours after Parks Canada had issued warnings concerning the heightened avalanche risk following significant snowfall in the region.
According to reports from both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Parks Canada, the avalanche was triggered by one of two skiers who were traversing the Pipestone Bowl, an area outside the designated boundaries of the ski resort. The skier who activated the avalanche was carried approximately 50 meters and buried under 150-200 cm of snow. Tragically, he was declared dead at the scene, with authorities advising next of kin have yet to be notified.
The first skier, now believed deceased, was skiing on a 25-degree slope when he reportedly triggered the avalanche, which propagated to steeper terrain above. The second skier managed to conduct a transceiver search to find his companion and initiate first aid before emergency responders arrived. The response involved RCMP, local fire department personnel, Parks Canada, and STARS air ambulance, among others. Lake Louise Ski Resort also supported with their ski patrol team.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene shortly after the avalanche was triggered, with RCMP confirming their response at approximately 3:45 PM. Const. Julie-Ann Strilaiff issued statements urging the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with rescue efforts. "At this time, it is believed at least one person is unaccounted for the avalanche," Strilaiff stated, adding they were actively working to locate all individuals involved.
Officials have indicated the avalanche hazard for the area was rated as 'high' (Level 4) for alpine zones and 'considerable' (Level 3) below the treelines following the heavy snowfall experienced previously. Over the preceding week, around 80 centimeters of new snow had accumulated, creating precarious conditions for skiers and snowboarders. Alex Lawson, public safety specialist for Parks Canada, pointed out, "The Bow Summit, the Lake Louise area got the bulk of the snow but in some areas, we’ve just doubled the snowpack with this last storm," he mentioned, stressing the need for caution among outdoor enthusiasts.
Warnings emphasized the dangers of venturing off designated ski areas, particularly during such high-risk conditions. RCMP are asking anyone with information about potential missing persons to reach out, urging the public's assistance. They particularly requested anyone who had expected individuals at the resort but had not heard from them to contact local authorities.
Dan Markham, communications director for Lake Louise Ski Resort, confirmed, "We want people to know the resort is open, the avalanche was not at the resort, and we hope for the best for the individuals involved." This assurance came as the ski area faced pressures from both skiers concerned for their safety and media inquiries following the tragedy.
The incident resonates as backcountry users were already cautioned earlier about staying out of avalanche-prone areas. Parks Canada had publicly reported several natural avalanches across the national parks, making it clear the danger is far from isolated to the immediate vicinity of Lake Louise.
With the investigation still underway, police are working closely with rescue teams and are expected to provide updates as soon as more information is available. The public has been reminded to be cautious as conditions remain unpredictable and the avalanche risks could persist throughout the weekend and beyond.
Officials continue to advise skiers and snowboarders to adhere strictly to safety protocols and designated skiing areas, emphasizing the importance of not underestimATING the current avalanche conditions. The community hopes for the safe return of any unaccounted individuals, with many anxiously awaiting updates from local officials.
Anyone with information relating to this incident or who has sightings of people stranded is encouraged to contact Lake Louise RCMP at 403-522-3812 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. For the safety of all, it is imperative to respect and follow the directions of emergency personnel during such heightened risks.