Avalanche incident at Castle Mountain results in minor injuries for three

Search dog at Castle Mountain Resort
C. Davis file photo

On February 15 at approximately 12:10 two separate parties were skiing in-bounds on an open terrain public skiing run called Harvey's Dream at Castle Mountain Resort (CMR) when a third party entered the run.  One individual ascended higher up the run, accidentally triggering a size two avalanche. Six people were involved in the avalanche, which resulted in one person being partially buried, and  two injured people on the surface.


CMR Mountain Safety staff initiated the search, all persons were accounted for and the site was cleared by their Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) search dog.

The avalanche was approximately 20 meters wide and travelled approximately 200 meters down slope, it was rated a size two slide. CMR’s Avalanche Rescue Plan provided an extremely quick and effective response to insure that all persons were accounted for.  Castle Mountain Resort would like to thank our Pro Patrol, our local CSP (Canadian Ski Patrol) and the CMR CARDA Search Dog Huck and handler Darrel. ~CMR press release

Pincher Creek Emergency Services responded to the scene with two ambulances and transported all three of the injured to Pincher Creek Hospital, where they were assessed with minor injuries and released shortly afterward.

"We weren't made aware that it was an avalanche when we responded," said Pincher Creek Emergency Services Dave Cox, who said they intend to address that procedural issue in the near future.

The Canadian Avalanche Centre is interested in more information about this incident.  Click here to contact them.

Sourced with files from www.avalanche.ca and a Castle Mountain Resort press release.