The new year is off to a tragic start on Whistler’s slopes, after two skiers died in separate incidents on Blackcomb Mountain in January.
On Jan. 10, a 42-year-old B.C. man was found unresponsive in a gladed area near 7th Avenue and Expressway on Blackcomb.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released.
The cause of death was snow immersion.
Just over a week later, on Jan. 19, 62-year-old Vancouver resident Ron Stuber died after what was described as a “serious incident” in Sapphire Bowl, an expert-designated area in Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park.
"After emergency care and evaluation was performed by an on-duty physician at the site of the incident, the guest was pronounced deceased and transported off Blackcomb Mountain," WB said in a statement.
"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,” added Belinda Trembath, Whistler Blackcomb's COO.
The tragic incidents serve as a reminder of the inherent dangers of the sport.
“Everything we do is founded in safety. We do not open up the mountains until Patrol and Mountain Operations deem it safe to do so,” said Whistler Blackcomb’s senior manager of communications, Dane Gergovich, in an email.
“That said, despite the recent snowfall, which has allowed us to open the alpine, there are still concerns about natural hazards including rocks, crevasses, other features that haven’t been covered yet and instability beneath the snow surfaces. Given this, we will continue to advise guests to stay in bounds, and stick to groomed and open trails within their ability levels.”
When tree-skiing, preparedness and awareness are key, Gergovich added.
• Always be on the lookout for tree wells — a hollow pocket that can surround trees after snowfall events.
• Always ski with a buddy (or buddies!) when entering a tree run and lookout for each other.
• Keep a whistle attached to the zipper of your jacket.
• Keep your eyes up and focused on where you’re going to avoid hitting tree trunks or branches.
Follow this link for a video with more safety tips.
