Backcountry skier rescued off Hollyburn Mountain

Air crews with North Shore Rescue haverescued a backcountry skier lost on Hollyburn Mountain.

Search teams were alerted to the skier around 3 p.m. PT Sunday but were hampered by high avalanche risk and tough weather conditions.

Earlier Sunday, NSR team leader Mike Danksasked people to stay inbounds while skiing because of avalanche risk.

According to Avalanche Canada, risk is "considerable" across the Kootenay, Cariboo, Northwest, Sea to Sky and Rockie regions. On the South Coast, conditions are said to be "very touchy" and human-triggered avalanches are "likely."

• Avalanche forecast map

"If we do get a call in the backcountry today and it's in avalanche terrain, which it most likely will be, we're going to be thinking twice about sending out members into those areas," said Danks.

"Because we're not going to put people at risk, during these times, so people need to be very selective about the route they choose if they are going into the backcountry."

• Avalanche warnings in effect across much of B.C.
• Lost skier finds refuge at emergency cache near Cypress Mountain Resort