At approximately 2:23 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2009 RCMP Operation Control Centre received a 911 call reporting an avalanche just north of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. At approximately 2:25 pm Kicking Horse Mountain Resort personnel assessed the situation and determined that the avalanche had taken place in a Permanent Avalanche Closure, within the Controlled Recreation Area of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

At approximately 2:28 pm Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Mountain Safety personnel in collaboration with Golden Search and Rescue and the RCMP determined that the avalanche was skier triggered by a party of four, two of which were reported missing. A comprehensive search was immediately conducted to find the missing skiers. At approximately 2:59 pm the first skier was located and uncovered. At approximately 3:04 pm the second skier was located and uncovered by the search team.

Both skiers were immediately flown by helicopter from the accident scene to the Golden District hospital.

The RCMP is in the process of conducting a full investigation in collaboration with Golden Search & Rescue and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. For further information, please contact the RCMP direct at 250-344-2221.