There was some disturbing news from British Columbia yesterday. Two skiers were killed in an avalanche on a mountain about 230 kilometres north of Smithers. They were taking part in a helicopter ski trip. For most people it's the kind of news that makes you stop and think and feel sorry for the victims and their families. But when I heard it... my heart stopped for a second. My son Rory is in British Columbia. He's actually working for a heli skiing operation. His job is to do some cooking, dish washing and cleaning around the lodge but when there's an empty seat on the chopper, staff are allowed to go along. Rory's been out on a few trips already this season. He's called up to tell me how magical it is to be at the top of mountain where no one else has been and float down through a foot and a half of fresh, untracked powder snow. I'm jealous.
Thankfully Rory is working at Panorama Mountain near Invermere, not in northern BC. But every time you venture into big mountain backcountry, either by your own power or with the help of a helicopter, you face a possible risk of avalanche. Even on my recent trip to the Chic Choc Mountains of Gaspe we encountered potential avalanche areas. It's a reality of being in the mountains. It won't stop people from traveling into these beautiful wild areas but hopefully when a tragedy like this happens, it'll give everyone who goes to the backcountry a pause for reflection.
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