B.C. Heli-Skiing Company's Operations Suspended After Avalanche Kills Three Swiss Nationals

White Wilderness Heliskiing has suspended operations following a fatal avalanche that claimed the lives of three Swiss nationals in the backcountry north of Terrace, British Columbia.

The tragic incident, which occurred during a guided heli-skiing excursion, is now under investigation by WorkSafeBC, the province's workplace safety agency, which has classified it as a "serious workplace accident."

White Wilderness Heliskiing confirmed the suspension of all operations in a statement, expressing condolences to the families of the victims and pledging full cooperation with investigators.

In a statement, Michael Brackenhofer of White Wilderness Heliskiing (WWH) confirmed the trio were on a tour with the company, which identifies itself as being Swiss-owned while offering small group tours in the Terrace area.

Brackenhofer said the group's guide was also caught in the avalanche and is in stable condition and undergoing surgery in Vancouver.

"The WWH team sends its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the three guests who lost their lives in this incident," the statement says. "Our deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims."

The statement also says operations are being suspended until further notice as investigations from RCMP and the B.C. Coroners Service are underway.

WorkSafeBC investigators have been deployed to the site to examine the circumstances surrounding the avalanche, including avalanche conditions, safety protocols, and operational procedures at the time of the incident.

The three victims, all Swiss citizens, were part of a guided group skiing in the remote terrain that has made British Columbia a world-renowned destination for backcountry skiing enthusiasts. Their identities have not been publicly released pending family notification.

Heli-skiing operations in British Columbia are subject to strict safety regulations and avalanche risk management protocols, though the inherent dangers of backcountry skiing in avalanche terrain remain significant even with professional guiding.

The investigation is expected to take several weeks as authorities work to determine the sequence of events and whether any workplace safety violations occurred. White Wilderness Heliskiing has not indicated when operations might resume.