Dalena Reporters l Saturday, February 28, 2026
CALGARY, Alberta — A sombre day has descended on communities near Calgary following the death of a 15-year-old boy who was buried by an avalanche on Friday afternoon and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. The tragedy unfolded near the Nakiska ski hill in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary, where emergency responders recovered the youth after he was swept up in snow and found unresponsive.
According to Cochrane RCMP, police and rescue teams were dispatched just before 1 p.m. on Friday after reports that two people were missing following an avalanche in the area surrounding the popular ski destination. While one individual managed to escape and avoid serious injury, the second identified locally as a 15-year-old Calgary resident was located buried under the snow and transported to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary.
The teen was treated for critical injuries sustained during the incident but died in hospital early Saturday morning, authorities confirmed. RCMP officers expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the boy as the community grieved the loss of a young life in what is typically a season filled with winter sport activity and outdoor recreation.
Avalanche risk can be unpredictable even in areas near ski resorts, and this incident underscores the importance of caution when venturing into terrain subject to unstable snow conditions. Investigators have not yet released details on whether the location of the avalanche was inside or outside managed resort boundaries or what specific factors may have contributed to the slide.
Local officials and rescue personnel continue to offer support to those affected while reminding winter enthusiasts to heed posted warnings and avalanche forecasts when skiing or snowboarding — particularly in areas beyond marked trails.