Photographs from last weekend when a tragic avalanche hit the Big White:

Friday: We arrived at about 6PM and unloaded our gear into the hotel and then explored the village. We then proceeded to pick up food from the new Pappa Roasters in the village before devouring it our hotel room. Cranium and drinks quickly followed before setting the alarm for 8AM and hitting the hay.

Saturday: 8AM. Everyone wakes up to an overcast sky complaining about how the others snored or made noises in their sleep. We got on the hill rather early and boarded a majority of the day away. We took a break at 3:30PM when the lifts closed. At 6PM a couple of us ventured out to the Telus Terrain park for some good old fashion night boarding/skiing. We returned safe but exhausted to another horrible night of sleep.

Sunday: Waking up to a clear sunny sky was the most amazing feeling. Most people we had a chance to converse with agreed the sun was an unusual treat that allowed clear visibility at the top. Unfortunately the sun changed the condition of the snow. It was rather icy for a lot of the runs, so we decided to hit up the back side of the mountain with the Gem Lake Express lift. The peak was breathtaking–Cindy was the only one who managed to snap pictures at the top. Just before 11AM is apparently when the avalanche hit the other side of the mountain at the Parachute Bowl.

According to the National Post, “The avalanche covered 1.6 hectares of the 23-hectare bowl. Snow was up to eight metres deep in some areas, with the force of the avalanche snapping trees and stripping the hill to bare rocks in some parts.” Six individuals were initially reported missing–all but one were rescued. Sadly, the body of a 21 year old Australian man was found the next day under 4 meters of snow.