Woman airlifted to Calgary hospital after high fall in Banff National Park

A woman who was injured after a high fall in Banff National Park has been airlifted to Calgary Foothills Medical Centre in serious condition, EMS confirmedon Friday.

The fall happened in the Grand Daddy Couloir area just off of Highway 93around 10:50 a.m., said EMS spokesperson Stuart Brideaux.

The Grand Daddy Couloiris a steep narrow gully on Bow Peak that is often used by skiers looking for a challenge.

The woman, who is in her late 20s, was with a group of skiers that were planning to traverse up and then ski down, said Brideaux.

"There was an incident where she had lost control ofherself and ended up tumbling downhill quite a distance."

Park officials were able to help get the injured woman to a nearby parking lot at the Mosquito Creek Hostel where an ambulancepickedher up.

It then met the STARS air ambulance team at a helipad in Lake Louise.

The woman was then flown by helicopter to the hospital in Calgary.

"[The incident]is seemingly accidental in nature. However, it was quite a significant fall down a steep slope," said Brideaux.