Man dies in avalanche in closed-off area of Lake Louise resort

A man died Saturday after he and another skier were caught in an avalanche in a closed-off area of Lake Louise Ski Resort.

In a statement, the resort in Banff National Park said the avalanche happened around 2:20 p.m. in the West Bowl area. 

When crews arrived at the scene, they determined that a group of three skiers entered the closed-off area and triggered a size 3 avalanche. None of the people were wearing avalanche safety equipment, the resort said. 

According to AHS EMS, two people were buried in the snow, one partially and one fully. The one person partially buried suffered minor injuries while the fully buried skier died.  

RCMP said that the deceased was a 21-year-old man who was under the snow for roughly 45 minutes before being extracted.

"Once excavated from the debris, Parks Canada and Alpine Helicopters evacuated the patient via helicopter long line and transferred them to Banff EMS and STARS air ambulance at a staging area in the ski hill parking lot," Parks Canada said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Despite extensive lifesaving efforts the individual was pronounced deceased."

The man's body was brought to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Calgary, RCMP said. His name has not been released. 

Since the start of the ski season, officials have warned of weak base layer snowpack conditions that could trigger avalanches. Recent spring warming has also increased instability in parts of the Rockies.

Avalanche Canada's website said that Saturday's avalanche was "skier-triggered" and reported to be 200 metres wide and 550 metres long with a crown depth of 40-50 cm.

According to EMS, the avalanche happened in an area of Lake Louise closed due to avalanche concerns.