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Avalanche threat hampers rescue of B.C. skiers

NELSON, B.C. — Avalanches and the threat of slides in B.C. are hampering rescue efforts for a group of skiers and forced the closure of several major highways.

NELSON, B.C. — Avalanches and the threat of slides in B.C. are hampering rescue efforts for a group of skiers and forced the closure of several major highways.

Officials say these are the worst conditions they have seen in 30 years, with more that 35 avalanches in the past few days in some parts of the Interior.

One slide on Sunday killed an Alberta skier and forced 14 other skiers to take refuge at a remote lodge in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, north of Nelson.

A rescue helicopter forced to turn back because of weather conditions will make another attempt to retrieve the body Monday and the remaining 14 skiers may have to be flown out of the area because the avalanche risk remains high.

Meanwhile, a 28-year-old snowmobiler has been found, cold and wet but safe, after spending the night lost in the Coquihalla Lakes area north of Hope.

Two sections of the Trans-Canada Highway in eastern B.C. remain closed because of the avalanche threat, and one stretch may not be open again until Wednesday, while three other highways in southeast B.C. are closed in places because of the avalanche danger.