In a heartbreaking turn of events, two individuals lost their lives in separate avalanche incidents on the same day in the Rockies, just west of Calgary. Among the victims was 34-year-old Minetta Norrie, a dedicated elementary school teacher with the Calgary Board of Education, who is being remembered as a passionate backcountry skier and outdoor adventurer.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported receiving an emergency call at 4:16 PM concerning an avalanche near Mount Black Prince in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park along Highway 742. This avalanche impacted four backcountry skiers, tragically resulting in Norrie's death after she was carried a considerable distance before being buried.

Despite attempts by the other skiers to provide medical assistance and the activation of an SOS beacon, first responders declared Norrie deceased at the scene. An investigation by Avalanche Canada indicated that the avalanche may have been triggered by Norrie herself, spanning an impressive 100 meters and sweeping her down the slope by 50 to 80 meters.

Close friends of Norrie have since described her as an adept skier, having been involved in backcountry skiing since the age of 13, as well as a talented climber and kayaker who embraced nature throughout Canada. "It’s just being at the wrong place at the wrong time… it’s just devastating,” expressed her friend Alex Stefan.

In another tragic incident occurring the same day, a skier near Lake Louise met a similar fate. Reports indicated that two skiers skiing "out of bounds" were caught in an avalanche, triggered when one of them attempted a perilous descent after skiing the Pipestone Bowl around 3 PM. One skier was engulfed by the slide and swept approximately 50 meters down, eventually succumbing to their injuries despite immediate rescue efforts, which included a transceiver search and first aid from the other skier.

Avalanche experts recommend that anyone planning to venture into backcountry areas prioritize safety gear, check avalanche forecasts, and avoid skiing in unpredictable conditions, especially during times of variable weather that can lead to unstable snow packs.

Safety Warnings Issued

Following these tragic incidents, Avalanche Canada and local authorities are strongly advising the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in winter sports in mountainous regions. The risk of avalanches remains high, and the community is urged to stay informed about avalanche conditions and follow safety protocols to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.

As the memories of the victims linger in the hearts of their loved ones, the mountain community mourns the loss of skilled adventurers who were taken too soon.