Chris Bilbao Survives Avalanche While Skiing in British Columbia
Text Size:
Chris Bilbao recently survived being caught in an avalanche while skiing by using his arms to keep his head above the snow, reports CTV.
While in the Monashee Mountains in the Canadian province of British Columbia, Bilbao and his friends were taking turns skiing in a bowl full of fresh powder. When Bilbao's turn arrived, however, he saw that a wall of snow was rapidly approaching.
Bilbao managed to warn his friends about the avalanche just before it carried him away, snapping his skis off his feet. He later told the source that the experience was similar to being buffeted by violent tides.
"I've been in the ocean plenty of times and gotten beat up by lots of waves," he said. "I just really started swimming. Every time I would flip down and come up I would reach my hand above my head to see how deep I was."
By flailing his arms around, Bilbao managed to keep himself near the surface, ultimately coming to a safe stop at the bottom of the slope.
"I tumbled head over heels about four or five times," he told the source. "Ended up at the bottom kinda half-way buried and very thankful to be alive."
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, approximately 25 people in the United States are killed by avalanches every year, with many more being injured in avalanche incidents.
Bilbao told the source that skiers should ensure that they know slope conditions, travel with experienced skiers and have the right gear to survive an avalanche.
People who have survived being caught in an avalanche can contact the Trauma Resource Institute for information on how to thrive in the wake of their ordeal.
While in the Monashee Mountains in the Canadian province of British Columbia, Bilbao and his friends were taking turns skiing in a bowl full of fresh powder. When Bilbao's turn arrived, however, he saw that a wall of snow was rapidly approaching.
Bilbao managed to warn his friends about the avalanche just before it carried him away, snapping his skis off his feet. He later told the source that the experience was similar to being buffeted by violent tides.
"I've been in the ocean plenty of times and gotten beat up by lots of waves," he said. "I just really started swimming. Every time I would flip down and come up I would reach my hand above my head to see how deep I was."
By flailing his arms around, Bilbao managed to keep himself near the surface, ultimately coming to a safe stop at the bottom of the slope.
"I tumbled head over heels about four or five times," he told the source. "Ended up at the bottom kinda half-way buried and very thankful to be alive."
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, approximately 25 people in the United States are killed by avalanches every year, with many more being injured in avalanche incidents.
Bilbao told the source that skiers should ensure that they know slope conditions, travel with experienced skiers and have the right gear to survive an avalanche.
People who have survived being caught in an avalanche can contact the Trauma Resource Institute for information on how to thrive in the wake of their ordeal.
Related Stories
Special Offer
