Three Skiers Died in a Heli Incident Near Terrace

Three skiers died in an avalanche while heli-skiing with White Wilderness Heli Skiing north of Terrace on Iridium Shoulder on Mount Knauss.

The group of four was skiing on Mount Knauss, approximately 30 kilometres north of Terrace, when the avalanche was triggered just before 1:30 p.m. PT on Sunday. RCMP say three skiers were killed, while a fourth was airlifted to hospital in Vancouver with serious injuries.

Search and rescue crews were activated at 1:30 p.m., with officers and BC Emergency Health Services responding to a nearby lodge.

According to media reports, the three victims were a Swiss businessman from eastern Switzerland and his two sons.

In a statement, White Wilderness Heliskiing confirmed the group was on a guided trip. The company’s general manager, Michael Brackenhofer, said the guide was also caught in the avalanche and is in stable condition, undergoing surgery in Vancouver.

“The WWH team sends its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the three guests who lost their lives in this incident. Our deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims.”

The avalanche hazard for the day was rated Considerable.

White Wilderness Heliskiing has suspended operations while investigations by the BC Coroners Service and RCMP are underway. WorkSafeBC has also opened an investigation, classifying the incident as a serious workplace incident due to the involvement of a guide.

Our condolences to the families, friends, guides, pilots, and everyone affected by this tragedy.