Black Prince backcountry ski area in Kananaskis Country
Province
AB
Coordinates
50.71167 °, -115.23117 °
Elevation
2100 m
Activity
Backcountry Skiing
Involvement
1
Injury
0
Fatality
1
Description
Kananaskis Mountain Rescue responded to an incident on an east aspect at 2100 m, near the Black Prince backcountry ski area. Skier one skied the slope, triggering an avalanche which was 100 m wide and failed on a layer 80-100 cm deep. The weak layer comprised of facets over a crust which formed at the end of January. The skier was carried down the slope for 50-80 m. The other three skiers in the party skied down, located the skier, and called for help. Kananaskis Mountain Rescue responded, provided medical assistance, and evacuated the skier to Emergency Medical Services. The skier did not survive.
Avalanches
Date/Time
Size
Type
Trigger
Elevation
Aspect
Slab width
Slab Thickness
2.5
S
Sa
2100 m
E
100 m
-
Weather
Present Temp
Max Temp
Min Temp
24hr Trend
Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Sky Condition
Precipitation Type & Intensity
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Snowpack
Snowpack
24hr Snow
Storm Snow
Storm Date
-
-
-
-
Documents
Document Date
Title
Source
2025-03-14
Image of the avalanche path taken from the rescue helicopter. The lower red outline indicates the avalanche the skier was caught in. The smaller upper outline indicates a second avalanche which released sympathetically to the main avalanche.