Historical Incidents

Incident Summary

Date
2025-02-23
Location
Forster Creek
Location Description
Near the head of Forster Creek just down from Thunderwater Lake approximately 35 km west of Radium Hot Springs.
Province
BC
Coordinates
50.65946 °, -116.56597 °
Elevation
2100 m
Activity
Snowmobiling
Involvement
1
Injury
0
Fatality
1
Description
A group of three snowmobilers were riding in an area below Thunderwater Lake in the Forster Creek drainage. One rider triggered an avalanche on a steep, rocky, northeast facing, wind-affected slope and was fully buried. A companion rescue was carried out with assistance from other riders in the area, but unfortunately the subject did not survive. The avalanche was approximately 40 m wide with a crown depth of 50-60 cm and a run length of 300 m. The avalanche is believed to have released on a layer of facets buried at the end of January.

Avalanches

Date/TimeSizeTypeTriggerElevationAspectSlab widthSlab Thickness
2.5SMa2100 mNE40 m55 cm

Weather

Present TempMax TempMin Temp24hr TrendWind SpeedWind DirectionSky ConditionPrecipitation Type & Intensity
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Snowpack

Snowpack24hr SnowStorm SnowStorm Date
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Documents

Document DateTitleSource
2025-02-23Photo of start zoneSARview