A woman died at a ski resort in the Canadian Rockies over the weekend, after falling into deep snow.
Sunshine Village Ski Resort confirmed on Monday that a woman died while skiing the on Saturday afternoon, when she fell into a pocket of deep, fresh snow just off of the side of a green-level ski run called Banff Avenue. The woman was 47 years old and from Toronto.
Members of the ski patrol at the hill tried to resuscitate the woman at the scene for two hours, but were unsuccessful.
Skiers in similar situations to this woman can end up dying from deep snow immersion, where they are immobilized and trapped under the snow, leading to their suffocation. The woman’s body has been transported to Calgary where an autopsy will be conducted to confirm the cause of death.
Kendra Scurfield, a Sunshine Village spokesperson, said on Monday the resort was deeply saddened by the woman’s death, and that their thoughts and prayers are with her family.
The Banff Avenue ski run is a green run, signifying it is a relatively easier run, and it’s located in the lower mountain area.
The death comes as Sunshine Village has recorded its fourth snowiest season in its history, this winter.
