2003 Connaught Creek Valley avalanche

[1] At 11:45 a.m. two mountain guides, who happened to be in the same area, heard a crack signaling the avalanche's start and shouted warnings to the school group below, who were swept away moments later.

[3] The guides raced down to the site, freeing those whose hands and legs were showing above the snow, and searching for those buried deeper using the avalanche transceivers which the scholars were all carrying.

The deceased were six boys and one girl: Ben Albert, Daniel Arato, Scott Broshko, Michael Shaw, Alex Pattillo, Jeff Trickett, and Marissa Staddon.

[2] This was done after an independent report into the avalanche concluded the school did not adequately warn the parents of the risks for the trip and concentrated on the idea of adventure rather than education.

[5] Under a new risk classification system the Connaught Creek area was rated as a Class 3 region, unsuitable for school groups, and therefore off-limits.