The body of a 54-year-old B.C. man was recovered from the wilderness of Washington State Monday evening, officials say.

The Coquitlam resident was skiing with his wife at Mount Baker on Sunday when the couple decided to turn back because of bad weather. His wife fell about 20 feet down a hill on their return. She saw her husband above her, but they became separated.

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office said the victim fell from a cornice.

A search launched Sunday afternoon was called off around 11:30 p.m. Sunday because of heavy rains and winds and a high avalanche danger.

The man was found buried upside down in about 18 inches of snow Monday at 5:40 p.m.

His name is expected to be released later today.

With files from The Associated Press