6 skiers survive backcountry avalanche near Whistler

Six people were caught in an avalanche in the backcountry near Whistler, B.C., Tuesday morning, RCMP have confirmed.

Police say the Blackcomb ski patrol received an emergency call from the groupon the Spearhead Glacier, northeast of Blackcomb, atabout 11:20 a.m. PT.

One person who was buried by the slide for four minuteswas pulled out unconscious by the others in the group, according to Staff Sgt. Steve Leclair.

The victim was resuscitated and evacuated by helicopter to the Whistler Health Care Centre. Rescue crews broughtthe rest of thegroup out of the area.

The avalanche, rated as a Class 2 in size, occurred in the Corona Bowl on the Spearhead Glacier in Garibaldi Provincial Park commonly used by backcountry ski touring groups.

The area is not part of the Whistler Blackcomb Resort and the area was not closed to backcountry travellers at the time.

The avalanche danger for the Whistler Backcountryarea wasrated as moderate at the time.