Snowboarder in Whistler Survives Avalanche with Inflatable Backpack

Occurred on January 11, 2017 / Whistler, British Columbia, CanadaShow more

Info from Licensor: "Yesterday morning we went into a zone called Chocolate Bowl in Brandywine snowmobile area for some snowmobile accessed snowboard laps. We decided to warm up on a run that we were familiar with. The top of the run was very wind affected and was hard and icy, but all the snow had been blown over onto the face where the video starts. Looking back, I should have been more aware of localized conditions with the dangers of windslabs, but that's hindsight for ya. I slowed down at the top of the chute to have a look down it, and that's when the avalanche started. I deployed my Black Diamond airbag backpack straight away but was then just along for the ride. It was crazy to feel the power of all that snow moving together. Luckily, when it was all said, my head was above the surface and I wasn't injured. It reminds me I still have a lot to learn about snow safety."