Revelstoke (BC), Canada (Monday, January 20, 2003) - Wire services are reporting this evening that an avalanche has struck the Durrand Glacier area in British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains, sweeping eight U.S. backcountry skiers to their deaths and injuring two. The skiers were client's of Selkirk Mountain Experience, a backcountry tour company based on the glacier 20 miles northeast of Revelstoke.

The names and hometowns of the skiers involved were not immediately available. A makeshift morgue has been established at the company's heliport in Revelstoke.

While initial reports indicate that the group was heli-skiing, Selkirk Mountain Experience customarily uses helicopters only to transport guests to and from its chalet on the Durrand Glacier. Once there, guests climb with skins to access some of North America's snowiest backcountry terrain as they travel on skis to and from the backcountry Mt. Moloch Chalet from December to May each year.

The ski-mountaineering company was founded in 1985 by Reudi Beglinger, a Swiss transplant as famous for his stern demeanor as he is for his legendary avalanche expertise. He is certified by both the Swiss and International Mountain Guide Associations, and also serves as Selkirk Mountain Experience's head guide.

For more information on the Durand Glacier and Selkirk Mountain Experience, read On the Durrand Glacier with Reudi Beglinger at First Tracks!! Online. - Ed.