Out-of-bounds skier sparks avalanche

Man falls half a kilometre after ridge collapses at Sunshine Village

A young man is in hospital after triggering an avalanche at Sunshine Village when he crossed a boundary rope and fell almost 550 metres.

Parks Canada says the skier crossed the boundary range on Goat’s Eye Mountain on Friday afternoon. He entered a corniced ridge, which then collapsed, creating a size-2 avalanche.

Parks Canada staff, Banff EMS and Alpine Helicopters responded, finding the skier on top of the debris after falling roughly 548 metres.

The man was transported to Banff Mineral Springs Hospital before a STARS air ambulance took him to Foothills Hospital with serious injuries, though he was in stable condition.

Tania Peters, Parks Canada’s spokeswoman for the area, says such falls are uncommon, though skiers crossing into backcountry face much higher risks.

“Once you’re leaving that ski area boundary, you’re no longer in avalanche-control terrain; you’re fullon in the backcountry,” Peters said.

Parks Canada “is certainly thinking of this individual and his family and his friends, and we certainly hope that he’s able to make a full recovery.”

Resort officials stressed the incident happened outside of its boundary, and said the resort’s paths were not affected. It’s the second incident at the resort in the past week. Martin Desrosiers, 32, died after hitting a tree Monday.