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Search-and-rescue crews located the body of a missing 78-year-old man outside the ski area boundary of Whistler Mountain.
Police believe the man inadvertently entered the backcountry while skiing alone at Whistler Blackcomb.
Whistler Search and Rescue president Brad Sills said the man was found on the south side of Piccolo Peak in steep, challenging terrain at an elevation of roughly 1,600 metres.
“This was a tragic incident of someone skiing alone who we believe inadvertently went beyond the ski area boundary, likely in poor visibility conditions,” Sills said.
The view from Whistler Mountain looking north east near Piccolo Summit and Symphony Express chairlift at Vail Resorts on March 5 2026. (Alanna Kelly/CBC)
Sea to Sky RCMP Cpl. Katrina Boehmer said police were alerted to the man’s disappearance on Feb. 28. He was found on March 5.
The Vancouver Police Department confirmed it was notified on Feb. 28 as the man was from Vancouver.
Sills said a single ski pole was found during an unrelated search on Feb. 20.
“A photograph had been taken of that [pole] that we were able to match with previous photographs from the subject,” Sills said.
The man did not have backcountry equipment with him.
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol, and search-and-rescue teams from Whistler, Squamish and the North Shore, along with specially-trained dogs, were involved in the recovery.
Whistler SAR was tasked by the RCMP to conduct a search for a missing person on the morning of March 4. He was found the next day. (Martin Diotte/CBC)
“Simply appeared to be a case where the individual inadvertently went outside of the ski boundary,” Boehmer said.
Police and Whistler Search and Rescue are asking everyone who recreates outdoors to notify family or friends of their plans.
“If you’re skiing alone, it is imperative that you let someone know when you expect to return so that a timely search can be started,” Sills said.
RCMP say no further details about the man will be released.
