A 42-year-old woman from Australia has died following an avalanche in Whistler, B.C.
According to Mounties, the deceased snowboarder and her partner had just entered the closed area over Lakeside Bowl.
"They had actually removed their snowboards and were walking because of the terrain," said Whistler RCMP Sgt. Rob Knapton.
That's when the woman was swept up by a small avalanche that pushed her off a cliff.
She was pronounced dead at the Whistler Health Care Centre.
“Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends,” said Whistler Blackcomb chief operating officer Pete Sonntag.
A second member of her party, a 36-year-old man was later rescued from the same area. He was physically unharmed.
The BC Coroners Service is investigating the death, but has not provided any information.
According to Avalanche Canada, this is the sixth avalanche-related death in British Columbia this year.
Experts say with the sunny weather parts of the province have been having, even more people will be heading into the backcountry.
And police said the incident is a reminder of the dangers of going out of bounds at ski resorts.
"These areas they close - they don't do it just because. They do it because there are safety concerns and we want everyone to be up there and enjoy themselves in a safe way," Knapton said.
With files from CTV Vancouver's Emad Agahi and The Canadian Press
