April 8, 2026 – Terrace, B.C.

White Wilderness Heliskiing provides update and clarifies details of March 22 avalanche

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On March 22, 2026, an avalanche occurred during guided heliskiing operations resulting in the deaths of three of our guests and serious injuries to one of our guides. The incident occurred near Mt. Knauss, on the ski run Iridium Shoulder, within the White Wilderness Heliskiing tenure. White Wilderness and our staff send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased - a father and his two sons visiting from Switzerland.

Their guide, one of three certified professional guides on the ski run that day, sustained multiple serious fractures. He is doing well and on a positive path to recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family as he continues his healing process.

We appreciate the support, patience and condolences extended to our guides and staff by our customers and partners, fellow mountain professionals, heli and backcountry ski operators across B.C., and the wider community, as we navigated a truly heartbreaking period. We also extend our appreciation to local emergency services for their immediate response during the rescue operations, including, Terrace Search and Rescue, the Terrace Fire Department, Terrace RCMP, BC Ambulance Service, and the Ksyen Regional Hospital. We also wish to thank HeliCat Canada for providing its critical incident stress management support with guests and staff.

Over the last few weeks, it has been brought to our attention that misinformation about the incident has been shared inaccurately and irresponsibly online. We wanted to take the opportunity to correct some inaccuracies.

On March 22, 2026, the four individuals were caught in the avalanche and fully buried. The victims were located through a transceiver search and visual clues from deployed airbags. White Wilderness guides and guests extricated all four victims within 15 minutes of the occurrence. Due to their injuries, the three guests did not survive the avalanche. Their guide, who sustained critical injuries, was flown by BC Ambulance Services to receive immediate medical care.

At the time of the incident, relevant authorities were immediately notified. Over the next three days, we halted operations while WorkSafeBC conducted its inspection as required for an incident of this nature. After that, there was no requirement for White Wilderness to cease operations. Despite this, White Wilderness decided to pause its ski tours for a period out of respect for the families of those who were lost and injured, and to assist our staff in processing the tragedy. Operations resumed on April 4, 2026.

Safety is the foundation of everything we do at White Wilderness. We operate under all required authorizations and are accredited by HeliCat Canada. Our guides hold and maintain the highest industry certifications, and our avalanche safety program meets or exceeds all standards set by HeliCat Canada, the Canadian Avalanche Association and the Province of British Columbia.

Despite this, this tragedy is a reminder that heliskiing takes place in mountain terrain where, even with the most diligent precautions, risk cannot be entirely eliminated. Our thoughts remain with the family of those who were lost, and our commitment remains to the safety of our staff and every guest who entrusts us with their care now and into the future.

We will provide further updates as circumstances warrant and investigative processes allow.

Michael Brackenhofer
Heliskiing and Guiding Manager
White Wilderness Heliskiing

For media inquiries: media@wwheliski.com