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A man from an American ski party died after an avalanche in the British Columbia back country Friday afternoon.

The avalanche began around 3:30 p.m. at Molars Bowl, west of the town of Golden, about 80 kilometres from the Alberta border.

The other members of the party dug the man out of the snow and performed CPR until rescuers arrived with a helicopter. He was flown to Golden General Hospital, but doctors were unable to save his life.

The RCMP is not releasing the man's name or any other information until Monday. Police did not specify whether the skiers were part of a professionally-guided tour, a commercial heli-ski operation or a group of backcountry enthusiasts on their own. In previous incidents, police have identified the circumstances.

A backcountry skier familiar with the incident told the Globe the man was from Colorado.

The area around Golden had an avalanche danger rating ranging from level two (moderate) below the treeline to three (considerable) above it.

A level three rating signifies dangerous avalanche conditions.

With a report from Dawn Walton

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