TOKYO, Jan 31 — The body of a French man was found today after an avalanche struck a northern Japanese mountain where he was backcountry skiing with seven other French citizens, local police said today.
The death of Sylvain Lethier, 38, was confirmed after a rescue team found his body off the slopes of the Tomamu ski resort in the northern Hokkaido region, a brief police statement said.
The avalanche happened yesterday afternoon when the group of eight went off the resort’s ski courses to venture into the untouched snow on the mountain.
Seven of the group were able to descend on their own by yesterday evening after the avalanche, leaving Lethier, who was “unconscious and in critical condition”, according to a local fire official.
Tomamu is one of a number of destinations in Hokkaido that boasts international-quality powder, and is popular with foreign skiers and snowboarders. — AFP
