Snowmobile Event Triggers Avalanche in British Colombia, Canada

The Big Iron Shootout snowmobiling event, ended in a catastrophe it triggered a massive avalanche, killing two.
Snowmobile Event Triggers Avalanche in British Colombia, Canada
3/15/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/skno1849570.jpg" alt="Dave Wickles crosses the finish line in the Snowmobile Hillcross Semi-Final during the Winter X-Games VII at Buttermilk Mountain on February 2, 2003 in Aspen, Colorado. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)" title="Dave Wickles crosses the finish line in the Snowmobile Hillcross Semi-Final during the Winter X-Games VII at Buttermilk Mountain on February 2, 2003 in Aspen, Colorado. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1822084"/></a>
Dave Wickles crosses the finish line in the Snowmobile Hillcross Semi-Final during the Winter X-Games VII at Buttermilk Mountain on February 2, 2003 in Aspen, Colorado. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Big Iron Shootout, a snowmobiling event attended by 200 fans on Saturday, ended in a catastrophe when the contestants triggered a massive avalanche killing two men and injuring 30 others, CBC news reported.

According to witnesses, a 150-meter (492 feet) wide wall of snow crashed down when three snowmobilers were racing up the side of Boulder Mountain in British Columbia (B.C.).

The competition to reach the highest point is called “high-marking,” and is known to trigger avalanches.

The Canadian Avalanche Centre informed people of the high avalanche risk in the area, but enthusiasts decided to participate despite the warnings.

A total of 19 snowmobilers have died on B.C. mountains this winter, out of 24 avalanche-related deaths, making it the worst season for avalanche fatalities, mostly resulting from underestimating danger levels.