LAKE LOUISE – One person is dead following an avalanche near Lake Louise Monday morning (April 5).
RCMP say they received a call from Parks Canada for assistance just before 9:30 a.m.
“We were informed at that time that there was one deceased person and another person looking for treatment,” said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff of RCMP K-Division.
“We met up at the Upper Lake Louise parking lot and we assisted with rescue attempts at that point.”
STARS air ambulance was initially called, but later was asked to stand down.
Cpl. Savinkoff said he had no further details on the avalanche at this time, including the exact location of the deadly slide, or how many people were there.
According to Parks Canada’s avalanche bulletin as of April 5, the avalanche danger is considered moderate at alpine and low at treeline and below treeline.
“Monday looks like a great day to get out and enjoy the fresh snow on North aspects, just watch for recent wind loading,” the bulletin read.
“Start and finish early to optimize travel conditions and minimize any increases in avalanche hazard with day-time warming.”
The forecast indicated new wind slabs have formed in lee areas of the alpine from the new snow and wind on Sunday (April 4).
“These seem to be bonding OK, but may still be triggered by skiers especially at higher elevations where the wind loading was more intense,” according to the forecast.
The travel and terrain advice include a warning to watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow – and avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
“Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain,” it read.
In addition, the forecast indicates strong solar inputs on Monday will increase the likelihood of small loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects, especially in thin snowpack or rocky areas.
“Plan your day today to avoid this type of terrain as the surface snow warms up,” it read.
Parks Canada was not immediately available for comment.
