Skier dies in avalanche near Pemberton

A 42-year-old man from Squamish, B.C., has diedafter being caught in an avalanche near Pemberton on Thursday.

Whistler RCMP saythe victim wasrecovered Fridayaround noon from an area known as Pebble Creek. Weather and a lack of light delayed the recovery.

Sgt. Rob Knaptonsays the man was with agroup of skierswho were equippedfor back country conditions and had avalanche beacons.

"This group was properly equipped to be out there, and it just shows you that there is some inherent risk in the back countryno matter how much equipment you have," Knaptonsaid.

"There's nothing that indicates that this group did anything wrong actually, they were properly equipped, but it's just one of these unfortunate things that happens."

On Thursday, Avalanche Canadaissued an extreme avalanche alert for the area after a storm brought dozens of centimetres of snow.

• Extreme avalanche warning issued for southern B.C. as winter storm rolls in

After the victim was caught up in the slide around mid-afternoon, other members were able to locate him and dig him out. But he could not be revived.

"Unfortunately he had succumbed to his injuries," said Knapton.

Some members of the group stayed in the back country overnight. Others skied out to get help. Knaptonsays there is a cabin in the area where those who stayed overnight were able to take shelter.

Knapton says the man's family has been notified of the death and the BC Coroners Service is investigating.