BC Avalanche: 3 Heli-Skiers Dead, 1 Injured – Mount Knauss Tragedy

Three heli-skiers died and one was seriously injured in an avalanche Sunday near Terrace, British Columbia, as hazardous conditions continue to pose a threat to backcountry enthusiasts across the province.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to a report of the avalanche on Mount Knauss, specifically on the Iridium Shoulder ski run, shortly before 1:30 p.m. PT. According to police statements, four heli-skiers were caught in the slide. One skier was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries and is currently in stable condition, even as the three others were pronounced dead at the scene.

The BC Coroners Service is investigating the deaths, and RCMP continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or the injured skier.

Avalanche Canada had issued a “considerable” avalanche risk warning for alpine sections of northwest British Columbia on Sunday, forecasting that recent snowfall and strong southwest winds had created unstable snow layers. The forecaster specifically warned that wind-affected terrain would be “most reactive” and advised skiers to choose simple, low-angle terrain to avoid overhead hazards.

The deadly avalanche on Mount Knauss was not an isolated incident. Earlier the same day, police in Atlin reported a separate avalanche fatality near Pleasant Camp and the Klehini River, close to the B.C.-Alaska border. Rescuers recovered one deceased individual in that incident, while four others were found uninjured.

These latest fatalities bring the total number of avalanche-related deaths in British Columbia to at least nine since December 2025. Prior to Sunday’s tragedies, a snowmobiler died near Kootenay Pass in February, and a professional snowboarder died near Joffre Lakes Park earlier in March.

Avalanche Canada continues to urge extreme caution in backcountry areas, particularly in alpine terrain affected by wind. The organization emphasizes that conditions can change rapidly and that the consequences of triggering an avalanche can be severe.