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Two killed in B.C. avalanche

A fatal avalanche that killed two skiers in northern British Columbia during a weekend heli-sking trip was a “sombre reminder” of the dangers in the mountainous back country, the RCMP say.

SMITHERS, B.C. — A fatal avalanche that killed two skiers in northern British Columbia during a weekend heli-sking trip was a “sombre reminder” of the dangers in the mountainous back country, the RCMP say.

They were among four skiers on a self-guided tour on Tom George Mountain, a remote peak about 48 kilometres southwest of Smithers, on Saturday afternoon when the slide hit.

The avalanche initially buried three skiers, but the fourth was able to dig out a 64-year-old companion, who suffered only minor injuries.

The pair then pulled out a 52-year-old woman from Regina, who was already dead, the RCMP said.

A man from Canmore, Alta., was still missing late Sunday afternoon, but was presumed dead. The recovery operation was put on hold as night fell, and was expected to resume on Monday.

The names of the dead haven’t been released.

The Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue said the current snow conditions in the area were “extremely unusual” due to the ground freezing prior to snowfall.

The Canadian Avalanche Centre said conditions in northwestern B.C. were “considerable” — giving it a rating of three on a five-point scale.

The group was based at Burnie Glacier Chalet, where spokesman Keith Davis said an investigation was underway to determine what happened.

Earlier this month three men from Alberta were killed by an avalanche while snowmobiling near Golden, B.C.