Rescuers have pulled two skiers from an avalanche near of the Panorama ski resort near Invermere, B.C., but the search continues for others who may have been swept up in the slide that hit Sunday afternoon.
Cpl. Grant Simpson of the Columbia Valley RCMP said the search teams are having trouble establishing how many people – if any are missing.
"We're looking for anywhere from zero to 12 people," he said. "Information is coming in very slowly."
The avalanche came down the Payton Bowl around 2:30 pm MT. Two large teams were dispatched to probe the area with three search dogs. "With any luck, some might be wearing beacons," Cpl. Simpson said.
The two skiers appeared to be just out of bounds.
The Canadian Avalanche Centre has forecast a moderate to considerable avalanche warning for the Purcell region on Sunday, depending on the elevation. The region has seen heavy winds combined with recent snowstorms, creating unstable slopes.
Justine Hunter