Ski Danger Assessed

Sun., July 19, 1998

By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com (509) 459-5508

Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park

British Columbia parks officials are hiring consultants to determine whether backcountry skiers should be allowed into the Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park area where an avalanche killed six people in January.

Six backcountry skiers died when they were caught in a massive avalanche near the Silver Spray Cabin on Jan. 2.

The slide happened less than a mile from the cabin in an area known as Clover Basin.

The Canadian Avalanche Center had listed the avalanche hazard at the time as high with poor stability.

A coroner’s report last month recommended the parks department review the location and use of the cabin during the winter.

Parks officials in Nelson are asking consultants to assess the avalanche hazard in the area and determine whether there’s a safe route for skiers to evacuate, should their helicopter shuttle service be unable to fly.

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Ski Danger Assessed

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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