Update:
Emergency Medical Services have confirmed that one person died at the scene of an avalanche near the Lake Louise Ski Resort on Friday afternoon. Authorities have not released further details about the deceased.
At around 3:45 p.m., Lake Louise RCMP responded to reports of an avalanche in the area, launching a large-scale search for potential victims.
Avalanche occurred in out-of-bounds area
According to an incident report by Avalanche Canada, the slide happened in Pipestone Bowl, an out-of-bounds area near the resort.
The report states that two skiers were making their way back to the ski area along a flagged traverse line when one of them triggered the avalanche on a 25-degree slope. The slide propagated into steeper terrain above, carrying the skier roughly 50 metres and burying him under 150 to 200 centimetres of snow.
The second skier used a transceiver to locate the victim, dug him out, and provided first aid. Parks Canada Visitor Safety then evacuated the group to EMS.
Second fatality confirmed in Kananaskis Country
On Mar. 14, 2025, at approximately 4:00 P.M., Cochrane and Stoney Nakota RCMP responded to assist Kananaskis Mountain Rescue and Kananaskis Emergency Services, after a report of an avalanche in a back-country area off of Highway 742 near Mount Black Prince, Alta.
Investigation revealed that 4 persons were out skiing when an avalanche occurred which carried a 34-year-old female resident of Calgary, a distance before she was buried in the snow.
An SOS beacon was sent out, notifying emergency responders, and despite diligent best efforts of the other 3 skiers to provide medical attention, the female was declared deceased by first responders.
Original Story:
At least one person was unaccounted for following a reported avalanche that occurred Friday afternoon in the area of the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
At approximately 3:45 P.M. Lake Louise RCMP responded to assist with efforts to account for and locate all patrons of the Resort, along with the Lake Louise Fire Department, Search and Rescue, local Ski Patrol, employees of the resort, Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services, Parks Canada and STARS.
RCMP were asking for the public to follow instructions from all first responders and staff of the resort, and to have patience while police make all efforts to locate and rescue anyone in need.
This investigation is still ongoing and updates are expected.
Police were seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the location of, or sightings of any stranded persons on or around the Lake Louise Ski Resort; as well as to report any patrons who should be at the resort, but have not checked in with friends or family.
Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to contact the Lake Louise RCMP at 403-522-3812 or your local police.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app.
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