US woman dead in slide

Photo: Google Maps

Nelson RCMP say a 32-year-old woman from Alaska was killed Saturday morning in an avalanche near Ymir, in the Kootenays.

The BC Coroners Service confirmed the death yesterday.

Police say the woman was on a week-long ski vacation with two companions near Qua Peak, about 20 minutes south of Nelson.

Three people were skiing down a slope when the snowpack broke away, sweeping them up in an avalanche. While the three were able to deploy their inflatable avalanche bags, only two were able to free themselves from the snow.

Using emergency beacons, they found the third woman a few minutes later. She was partly buried in the snow and unresponsive.

The two skiers radioed for help and the woman was transported by helicopter to Nelson where she was pronounced dead, say police.

The victim's family in Anchorage, Alaska, has been contacted but no name has been released.

The detachment spokesman says officers are assisting the coroner with the investigation.