WHISTLER, B.C. - A 17-year-old snowboarder has died on Whistler Mountain after hitting a boulder.
Whistler RCMP say the young man, from Burnaby, B.C., was boarding in an area Monday afternoon that is normally open to the public but had been closed because of snow conditions.
Sgt. Steve LeClair said numerous other people also ducked the ropes and entered the area.
"This message is obey the signage on the mountain," LeClair said. "It's there for the safety of the guests. Use the ski area responsibly."
LeClair said the young man was an experienced snowboarder and was accustomed to Black Diamond runs.
"He went off a bit of a drop-off, a ten to twelve foot drop-off, and he struck a large boulder that was in the snow," LeClair said.
The ski patrol and two mountain doctors attempted to resuscitate the teenager after the collision but he died of his injuries. Whistler RCMP believe he died from blunt force trauma to his upper body, but this cannot be confirmed until an autopsy is performed.
Police are interviewing witnesses to the incident.
The male's family has been notified but his name has not yet been released.
His death is believed to be the first on Whistler-Blackcomb this year.
