Three individuals who were heli-skiing and tragically perished in an avalanche near Terrace, B.C., were identified as Swiss citizens by the Swiss Consulate General in Vancouver. The incident occurred on Mount Knauss, approximately 30 kilometers north of Terrace when an avalanche struck the Iridium Shoulder ski run just before 1:30 p.m. PT on Sunday.
According to the Terrace RCMP, three skiers lost their lives, while a fourth was airlifted to a hospital in Vancouver. The consulate did not disclose any further details about the skiers. White Wilderness Heliskiing (WWH) spokesperson Michael Brackenhofer confirmed that the deceased trio were part of a tour organized by the company, known for its Swiss ownership and small group tours in the Terrace region.
Brackenhofer mentioned that the group’s guide was also caught in the avalanche, but is currently in stable condition and undergoing surgery in Vancouver. WWH expressed condolences to the families and friends of the deceased skiers and announced the suspension of operations pending investigations by the RCMP and the B.C. Coroners Service. Additionally, WorkSafeBC has initiated an inquiry into the avalanche incident due to the involvement of a worker.
In a separate incident near the B.C.-Alaska border, a fatality was reported by authorities in Atlin, B.C., following an avalanche near Pleasant Camp and the Klehini River. Avalanche Canada reported that a group of five individuals was ski touring in an area northwest of Mount McDonell when the avalanche occurred.
With the recent fatalities, a total of nine individuals have lost their lives in avalanches in B.C. since December 2025, including a snowmobiler near Kootenay Pass and a snowboarder near Joffre Lakes Park. Avalanche Canada highlighted the considerable avalanche risk in the alpine regions of northwest B.C. mountains, specifically in areas where a thick crust did not form after a recent atmospheric river event.
WorkSafeBC issued a safety bulletin emphasizing the importance of ensuring workers’ safety in avalanche-prone areas and urging employers to monitor conditions continuously, provide proper training, and halt work when conditions are deemed unsafe. The agency cited previous avalanche-related injury claims and stressed the responsibility of employers to safeguard their employees in such environments.