A 26-year-old skier from Vancouver has died after a skiing mishap on backcountry slopes on Vancouver's north shore.

The man was rescued Saturday from an area on Cypress Mountain (near Hollyburn Ridge and the Baden Powell Trail) after two snowshoers discovered his friend trying to help him out of a muddy creek embankment.

The pair performed CPR until North Shore Rescue arrived and used a helicopter and long lines to airlift him to a waiting ambulance.

West Vancouver Police say they will not release the man's name unless they get consent of his family.