MOUNT BAKER, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A backcountry skier from Sumas died last week after an accident in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater says a search and rescue team was called to a report of an unresponsive skier at around noon on Feb. 5.

Slater says the skier had fallen head-first into deep snow before their partners uncovered them and gave them CPR. The skier, identified by the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office as 43-year-old John Wells, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The Northwest Avalanche Center currently lists a moderate risk of avalanche danger in the northwest slopes. It’s advising backcountry skiers in the area to avoid steep slopes and any features that are building fresh slabs of wind drifted snow.