The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died in an avalanche near Rogers Pass on March 24, 2013.

The man is Jason Chad Westbury, aged 38, of Revelstoke.

Mr. Westbury was one of a group of three persons who went back-country skiing on Mount Sifton near Rogers Pass in the early afternoon of March 24. At about 2 p.m. on Sifton Col, an avalanche struck, burying Mr. Westbury. The others were able to locate and dig Mr. Westbury out, but he could not be revived and was deceased at the scene.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate this death.

The family of Mr. Westbury has been notified of his death. On behalf of the family, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

The BC Coroners Service notes that the Canadian Avalanche Centre continues to list the avalanche risk as "considerable" to "high" in many parts of the province and urges all backcountry users to take extreme care, including checking the Canadian Avalanche Centre webpage for current conditions in BC.

For further information, please contact:

Barb McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253