Death of 2 skiers on Potato Peak marks B.C.'s 7th avalanche fatality of 2023

A photo posted by Avalanche Canada shows Potato Peak, 40 kilometres south of Tatla Lake in central south British Columbia, where two skiers died in an avalanche on Saturday, Feb 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Avalanche Canada

The death of two skiers in B.C.’s Cariboo region over the weekend brings the province’s 2023 avalanche death toll to seven, barely seven weeks into the year.

Avalanche Canada says the skiers were killed in an accident on Potato Peak, approximately 40 kilometres south of Tatla Lake.

The pair reportedly accessed the area using snowmobiles, but were skiing when they were caught in an avalanche.

“Both victims were fully buried and did not survive,” Avalanche Canada wrote on its website. “Search and rescue were notified when the victims were reported overdue. The victims were located and recovered from the accident location.”

One of the victims was a volunteer with Central Cariboo Search and Rescue, his former team confirmed Thursday.

“This member tragically passed in a recent avalanche event on Potato Peak, alongside one other person who was a dear friend,” reads a statement by CCSAR.

Prince George Search and Rescue helped CCSAR’s avalanche team respond to the tragedy.

“Critical incident stress management is being utilized for those who responded on the call, and for the entire team. This member’s kind soul and bright light will be significantly missed,” the statement reads.

Last month, avalanches in B.C. were responsible for the deaths of two Nelson police officers skiing near Kaslo, a snowmobiler near Valemount, and a pair of twin brothers from the U.S. who were heli-skiing near Revelstoke.

This season is shaping up to be the deadliest in decades, and Avalanche Canada has warned backcountry enthusiasts to check the avalanche forecast before going out, and to always pack the appropriate rescue gear.

CCSAR is doubling down on those warnings.

“No matter the skill or comfortability level, the risk has been horrifically unforgiving. We are urging everyone across the province to not take that risk,” Chief Rick White wrote in the team’s statement.