The Elk Valley RCMP have confirmed the death of a female snowboarder at Fernie Alpine Resort over the weekend.
On Mar. 20, around 1:30 p.m. the RCMP responded to a call from FAR that a female snowboarder and a male companion has been involved in an accident. The incident occurred in a permanently closed area adjacent to the Polar Peak chair lift.
“The pair had entered into an area of cliff bands and was attempting to traverse what was described as an impassable cliff face when both fell. The woman fell approximately 130 metres, and sustained fatal injuries. Fernie Alpine Resort ski patrollers were alerted and attended the location and rescued the pair. Patrollers attended to the unresponsive female and provided first aid, she was then transported to the Fernie hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The man sustained a broken arm in the fall,” said the RCMP in a press release.
“Our thoughts and feelings go out to the family and friends to those that are involved. Without a doubt it is a tragedy,” said Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Senior Vice President of Products and Maintenance, Neil Jackson, to The Free Press.
While the BC Coroners Office has not released the identity of the snowboarder, the investigation has confirmed it to be a 20-year-old female from Alberta.
The RCMP told The Free Press they are continuing their investigation, but have ruled out foul play as a cause.
