KANANASKIS, Alta. — A skier who was caught in an avalanche west of Calgary has been rescued after using his cellphone to call for help.
Kananaskis Public Safety officer Mike Koppang says the man was back-country skiing by himself on Mount Sparrowhawk on Saturday afternoon when he was caught in the slide.
After he phoned for help, a helicopter was dispatched to the area and he was spotted from the air.
Rescuers were then lowered down to the man, who was found buried up to his armpits and pressed up against a tree. They dug him out, treated him for possible leg fractures, and then flew him out.
Koppang says the man was fully-equipped with an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe.