3 heli-skiers dead in avalanche near Terrace, B.C., in deadly weekend

By Canadian Press on March 23, 2026.

KITIMAT — Police in Terrace say three heli-skiers have died after being caught in an avalanche north of the British Columbia community, as part of a deadly weekend in the province’s backcountry.

RCMP in Terrace say the avalanche happened on Mount Knauss on the Iridium Shoulder ski run on Sunday at around 1:28 p.m., when police received a report of four heli-skiers being struck.

Emergency responders then arrived at a local lodge where one survivor with serious injuries was airlifted to hospital.

Police say the three other skiers died in the avalanche and their bodies were recovered from the mountain.

It was the second fatal avalanche in B.C. on Sunday as officials warned of dangerous conditions created by last week’s heavy precipitation and warm temperatures brought on by an atmospheric river.

Earlier, police in the northwestern B.C. community of Atlin confirmed one person had died in a remote area near the Alaska border after another avalanche.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Mar. 23, 2026.

The Canadian Press