Canada’s mountain guide and forecasting industries have detailed the rigorous safety training that heli-skiing operators undergo, amid the recent death of a guest skier in an avalanche near Revelstoke while on tour with a local company.
On Thursday, Feb. 19, Revelstoke’s Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing (STHS) recovered and evacuated a member of a visiting tour group who was buried by a Size 2 persistent slab avalanche they triggered, 19 kilometres southeast of town.
The individual reached Queen Victoria Hospital, but succumbed to their injuries that Thursday, prompting an investigation by Revelstoke RCMP and the BC Coroners Service (BCCS).
READ: Avalanche kills man heli-skiing in Selkirk Mountains with Revelstoke company
STHS confirmed with Black Press Media through its PR agency that it resumed tour operations last Saturday, Feb. 21, after pausing all expeditions on Friday, Feb. 20.
A week later, the other guests in the group have reportedly left STHS’s custody and continue to be contacted by the company daily. It’s offered them counselling and support from its critical incident stress management team, which engages skiers after traumatic events.
Staff Sgt. Chris Dodds confirmed Revelstoke RCMP’s investigation into the skier’s death has also concluded, leaving the matter in the hands of BCCS, who Black Press Media has asked for comment.
Dodds indicated by email that the detachment is satisfied no criminal action led to the fatality. He added that STHS performed its own emergency response at the scene of the avalanche last Thursday, before transporting the guest to the hospital and notifying the detachment.
Over the years, “Revelstoke RCMP has responded to various recreational back country fatalities,” Dodds said.
Across B.C., tragedy in the heli-skiing community is also no isolated event. In March 2025, three heli-skiers died near Kaslo in a Size 2.5 avalanche on a tour with Stellar Heliskiing, including the company’s founder.
READ: Kaslo Hotel owner, Whistler snowboarder among Kootenay avalanche fatalities
To learn more about safety training and decision-making for heli-ski companies in B.C., Black Press Media reached out to lead organizations representing Canada’s mountain guiding and avalanche forecasting community.
A detailed response came from HeliCat Canada CEO Ross Cloutier, with added input from Canadian Ski Guide Association president Erin Tierney, Canadian Avalanche Association executive director Joe Obad and Avalanche Canada executive director Gilles Valade.
“The member operators of HeliCat Canada and their teams are operating to some of the highest industry safety standards in the world,” they wrote, adding that heli-ski companies’ knowledge about snow science and safety is world-class.
This includes daily collection of snow and avalanche data, which is analyzed for each individual mountain, slope and ski run.
“In Western Canada, we have a unique and very sophisticated approach to avalanche safety that is not found in any other alpine nation,” the industry leaders said.
For example, an online exchange called InfoEx run by the Canadian Avalanche Association allows hundreds of pieces of valuable data to be shared daily in winter. Avalanche Canada uses this data to create its public avalanche forecasts.
However, the industry leaders explained that forecasting for commercial heli-skiing differs largely from Avalanche Canada’s bulletins for public recreation.
To meet “rigorous industry safety standards,” heli-ski operators complement their forecasts with daily snowpack and weather observations, and analysis for every ski run of what terrain is safe for guests and guides.
“Our operators have intimate knowledge of their terrain and forecast at a smaller and more local scale for skiing,” Cloutier noted. “Based on their own analysis and the information available, our operators are extremely conservative, reducing as much risk as possible by avoiding terrain that is of concern.”
READ: Golden gondola investigation asks B.C. resorts to proactively monitor, fix lifts
As for mountain guide qualifications, “ski guiding is a highly sought-after career, and it takes years of extensive training to become a certified ski guide,” Tierney said.
Prospective heli-ski guides spend four to six years learning preventative skills, tactics for assessing and managing hazards such as avalanche terrain, and rope and avalanche rescue responses.
They get certified under the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides or Canadian Ski Guide Association, receive professional avalanche training through the Canadian Avalanche Association’s Industry Training Program, and do annual operational training throughout their guiding career.
With any heli-ski company, “we demand the highest safety standards including rigorous inspection audits and accreditation from operators,” Cloutier said.
“Our operators also conduct comprehensive organization-wide safety training before the beginning of the season each year to ensure all team members are up to date with emergency response protocols and best practices.”
As well, guests are briefed in myriad ways about avalanche risk and mitigation, the industry leaders wrote.
“Guests must review comprehensive website information before they arrive in British Columbia, agree to sign the participation contracts, (and) receive onsite safety briefings and specific instructions of possible hazards and management techniques throughout each ski day,” the statement said.
“Guests definitely understand the risks associated with helicopter and snowcat skiing and are participating of their own volition.”
READ: Rogers Pass skiers cautioned after splitboarder breaks foot in avalanche
Heli-ski guides additionally follow protocols for how to space apart and travel with their group, which vary for each ski run based on terrain, weather and other mountain conditions.
In short, “the level of training for Canadian guides is among the best in the world,” the industry leaders emphasized.
They wrote that last Thursday’s fatality near Revelstoke has impacted the entire industry, with their current priority being to support STHS and everyone involved.
To check the latest public avalanche bulletins, visit avalanche.ca.