Death of skier who fell into snow in Banff, Alta., raises a danger of snow sports

A 47-year-old Toronto woman died on Saturday afternoon at Sunshine Village Ski Resort in Banff, Alta., after falling into deep snow near a green-level trail. First responders attempted resuscitation but were unsuccessful. While the cause of death is not yet confirmed, investigators are considering snow immersion suffocation (SIS) as a possibility. SIS occurs when a skier falls headfirst into deep powder or a tree well, becoming immobilized and suffocating. Paul Baugher of the Northwest Avalanche Institute, who has studied SIS for 25 years, notes it can happen in just 10-12 minutes and occurs in ski areas—not just backcountry terrain. In the U.S., there are approximately 4.7 SIS deaths per ski season. Experts warn that survival depends on immediate rescue by a partner who maintains visual contact. Prevention includes skiing with a buddy in sight, carrying a whistle, and knowing local ski patrol numbers.