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       Canadian police stated on December 30 that a skier hit by an avalanche in British Columbia’s inland region on the 29th had been confirmed dead.

       According to reports, the victim was skiing with two friends in the Caspar Creek area of Pemberton on the 29th when they were caught in an avalanche at around 3 p.m. Police were notified at 4:30 p.m. and began search and rescue operations. However, the incident occurred in a remote mountainous area, and rescue helicopters had to temporarily suspend searching due to poor lighting in the evening. Police confirmed the victim had died in the early hours of December 30. The location was extremely isolated, requiring rescuers to reach the site on foot as there were no roads. This week’s warmer weather has increased the likelihood of avalanches in BC. The Canadian Meteorological Service indicated that most mountainous areas in southern BC were at high risk of avalanches on the 30th, warning skiers to stay vigilant.

       Reposted from the December 30, 2011 edition of The Sun