Snow slides off Selkirk Lodge, injures three during Souper Bowl at Mount Spokane

WINTERSPORTS — Three people were injured, apparently not severely, when snow slid off the metal roof of Selkirk Lodge shortly after 1 p.m. today during the 12th annual Women’s Souper Bowl snowshoeing and cross-country skiing event at Mount Spokane State Park.

State park rangers say an avalanche of snow slid off the roof, rumbled under a catering tent and onto participants who were seated at picnic tables having lunch during the fundraising activities and meal for the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant . About 300 participants and dozens of volunteers are involved in the event, which raised $11,000 last year.

Selkirk Lodge is at the parking lot for the cross-country trail system and the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol’s nordic patrollers stationed there responded to the accident.

Two of the injured left on their own after the accident but one was transported by ambulance for tests to make sure she had no serious injury, park rangers said.

Selkirk Lodge is a popular facility that’s routinely crowded with nordic skiers and youth cross-country skiing groups on weekends.