A Toronto woman has died after a skiing accident at Sunshine Village Ski Resort near Banff on Saturday.
Sunshine Ski Village communications and brand director Kendra Scurfield confirmed to Daily Hive that the woman died after falling into a deep pocket of snow. She noted that the park has seen heavy snowfall this year, its fourth snowiest season in 100 years.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the individual. We’re thinking about them during this difficult period of time,” Scurfield said.
“We’d like to thank our snow safety team for their quick response and hard work. These situations, they hit hard.”
In a Facebook post, the woman’s brother, Faiz Merchant, confirmed her passing.
“It breaks my heart to share that my beloved sister Farah Merchant passed away on December 27th due to a tragic ski accident,” the post read.
Merchant described her as a loving mother to her son, Liam, and a cherished daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. He added that he believes she is “in a better place” and watching over her loved ones.
“Her legacy will live on through Liam, who will carry her love, strength, and spirit forward,” the post continued. “Please keep her soul and our family in your prayers. May she rest in eternal peace.”
Scurfield said this year has brought more than four metres of snow since Dec. 1, making it the fourth heaviest snowfall in the park’s 100-year history.
Snow immersion asphyxiation, or non-avalanche snow immersion death, happens when a skier or snowboarder falls into deep, loose snow, often near a tree, and becomes trapped. Breathing can be blocked by snow or body position, and self-rescue is very difficult.