Three skiers killed in Kootenay avalanche​on March 25, 2025 at 4:58 pm

Three people are dead after an avalanche near Kaslo in the B.C. Kootenays on Monday.

Two groups of skiers were in a staging area below the tree line of Clute Creek water shed after skiing on the east side of Kootenay Lake. A transport helicopter was approaching the groups when the pilot noticed an avalanche barrelling down the mountain and sounded an alarm siren.

One group of skiers was able to get out of the avalanche’s path, but the other group was swept into the trees.

Three people were found dead: a 44-year-old man from Whistler, a 45-year-old man from Idaho, and the 53-year-old guide from Kaslo. A fourth man, a 40-year-old from Nelson, was seriously injured.

The Kootenays have a high danger rating at all elevations, according to Avalanche Canada. “Rising temperatures are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions and terrible riding quality,” it said. “No reason to go near avalanche terrain.”

The B.C. Coroners Service is investigating with the assistance of Kaslo RCMP.