3 “very skilled” skiers killed in British Columbia Avalanche

Three skiers were killed and a fourth was critically injured after being swept away by an avalanche in British Columbia, Canada.

The deadly incident occurred just before 13:00 on Monday 24 March, reports The Canadian pressThe Vancouver Sun and CTV news.

The British Columbia Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the skiers killed was a 53-year-old guide from nearby Kaslo, a 44-year-old man from Whistler and a 45-year-old man from Idaho, Per Canadian press. The only survivor, as the authorities said was a 40-year-old man from Nelson, BC, was in critical condition and lifted to a hospital.

Heli skiing is off-trail, downhill or snowboard where the skier reaches the top of the mountain by helicopter, instead of a ski lift, per Wikipedia. It is often done in remote areas.

“A transport helicopter approached the group as the pilot observed an avalanche and let the siren,” BC RCMP said in a statement Tuesday 25 March Per CTV News.

“A group of skiers could end in the injury, while the other group of four was swept away in the tree line,” the statement continued.

According to the reports, the group of skiers had just completed in a bowl area on the eastern side of the British Columbia Kootenay lake and waited at a staging area below when the avalanche.

Mark Jenningsbates, head of Kaslo Search and Rescue, described the skiers as “very, very skilled”, according to the Canadian press.

“When our team had arrived there had been four people buried in the avalanche, all four substances were removed from the snow and were at the top of the snow,” Jenningsbates said. “One was responsive and three had no important signs.”

The skiers were present Stjärnheli skiingthat confirmed the tragedy in a statement.

“At about 12:30 PST on March 24, 2025, a deadly avalanche occurred within the star Heli ski time in the Clate Creek water draw near Kaslo, British Columbia,” said the company. “The event involved a guided group of skiers captured in the avalanche during heli skiing.”

“The entire team at Stellar Heli Skiing expands its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones by those affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts remain with them during this extremely difficult time,” concluded the statement.

Northern surface identified 45-year-old Idahoan as employed Alex Pashley. Pashley was a veteran snowboard rider, the global sports market manager (snow) for the company Athletic Apparel and Equipment, Ski newspaper reported.

The other victims such as Stjärnheli ski owner and management guide Jason Remple, 53, and professional snowboarder Jeff Keenan, 44, Per Ski newspaper. The Vancouver Sun Also confirmed all three deceased skiers’ identities.

On Monday, a high (level 4) avalanche procedure was issued by Avalanche Canada for all heights in the Kootenay Lake region, per Ski.

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The investigation remains ongoing and is led by the Royal Canadian mounted police.