One skier buried, transported to hospital; after avalanche hits B.C. skiers

WHISTLER, B.C. – A skier is in hospital but believed to be uninjured after an avalanche hit a group of backcountry skiers near the B.C. resort community of Whistler.

Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair says the avalanche happened on the Spearman Glacier, near Blackcomb Mountain ski area, hitting about half a dozen skiers.

LeClair says one of the skiers was buried for up to four minutes, rendering the person unconscious, but the skier regained consciousness by the time help arrived.

Blackcomb ski patrol, local search and rescue personal, and a mountain doctor attended the scene, and the skier was transported to hospital by helicopter.

LeClair says the buried skier was taken to hospital to be checked out, but says the skier was not believed to have any significant injuries.

He says none of remaining skiers are injured and are expected to be removed from the area by helicopter.