Australian snowboarder dies in avalanche at Whistler Blackcomb

An Australian national has died at Whistler Blackcomb in what the resort is calling a ‘serious incident that took place on the mountain’.

In a statement from the resort they say Ski Patrol responded to a snowboarder incident on February 21st in closed terrain over Lakeside Bowl on Blackcomb Mountain, which triggered a class 1 avalanche.

A 42 year old woman from New South Wales, Australia was transported to the Whistler Health Care Centre, however after further emergency care and evaluation the woman was pronounced deceased at the medical facility.

A second member of the woman’s party, a 36-year-old man was later rescued from the same area on the mountain.

In the statement from the resort Pete Sonntag, Whistler Blackcomb COO says “Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends”.

The Coroner’s Service is now investigating the incident.