Lipalian 4 full burial

Incident

Group Size

2

Group Activity

skiing

Number Involved

1

Number Fully Buried

1

Snow Depth Trigger Point

shallow

Terrain Shape Trigger Point

unsupported

Party of two skied Lipalian 4 outside the Lake Louise Ski Area boundary (from Larch chair). Person #1 skied into the slope and triggered it, then rode the avalanche for approximately 150m. Person #2 was standing in a safe location and watched until Person #1 was no longer in view, then switched their transceiver to search and began. They noticed one ski pole on the surface and narrowed the search area. but used the transceiver to locate Person #1 whose face was buried 40 cm below the surface. After uncovering their airway, Person #2 was dug out from a 200 cm hole and sustained minor injuries including the loss of two teeth. The party self-evacuated back to the Lake Louise Ski Area.