Based on coverage from The Sun, Global News, CP24, and Winnipeg Free Press.
A 15-year-old skier from Calgary has died after an avalanche at Nakiska Ski Area in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary. Cochrane RCMP say they were called just before 1 p.m. Friday after reports that two people were missing following a slide.
Police say one person was able to escape the snow, but the teen remained missing and was later found unconscious. He was taken to hospital in Calgary in life-threatening condition and died Saturday morning.
Avalanche at Nakiska Ski Area near Calgary
The avalanche happened near the Nakiska ski hill, a popular day-trip spot in Kananaskis Country. RCMP and other emergency crews responded at 12:49 p.m., according to CTV News, while The Canadian Press reported the call came in just before 1 p.m. Both accounts describe the same sequence: two skiers swept up, one self-rescued, and the other buried.
A witness quoted by CTV said the slide appeared to occur in the Monster Glades area, which they described as featuring mostly blue and black runs. It was not immediately clear, based on the reporting, whether the skiers were in-bounds at the time.
What RCMP and rescuers say happened
Cochrane RCMP confirmed the teen died early Saturday morning. Police said multiple resources were deployed during the search. CTV reported that avalanche dogs and EMS were used to help locate the buried skier.
RCMP have not publicly named the teen. Police issued condolences to the family and friends, and the investigation is ongoing.
Alberta ski community mourns 15-year-old athlete
The Alberta Alpine Ski Association, through Alpine Alberta, said two of its athletes were involved in the avalanche incident on Feb. 27 at Nakiska. The organization said one athlete was able to self-rescue, while the second was buried and later died after being transported to hospital.
In its statement, Alpine Alberta said the community is “heartbroken” and that it is committed to making support available for those affected, including teammates and coaches. The group also thanked rescue teams, coaches, and volunteers for their rapid response.
Nakiska also released a statement to CBC News offering condolences, saying the mountain community shares in the grief and that a full investigation is underway.
Wider avalanche risk and what Canadians watch for
The reporting describes this death as part of a broader run of avalanche fatalities this winter. One source also points to deadly avalanches in Europe, including the deaths of two skiers in Italy earlier in the week, and says the avalanche death toll in several Alpine countries has passed 60 this season.
For Alberta skiers and families, the immediate focus is closer to home: what conditions led to a slide at or near a major resort, and what findings come out of the investigation. RCMP and the ski area have both said the incident is still under review, and any further details are expected to come from that process.
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