About 10 a.m. RCMP were notified about the slide involving a group of commercially-guided heli-skiers in the Bonnington Mountain range near Blewett, B.C., about 630 km southwest of Calgary.

Mounties activated Nelson Search and Rescue but the group was stood down after it was learned the heli-ski company had mobilized its emergency protocol and was able to rescue and remove the victims.

The group involved with the avalanche included four skiers plus one guide, said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

"In the immediate area, there were other groups of skiers associated with the heli-ski operator," he said, adding those people rushed to help.

Moskaluk said of the group that was caught in the slide, the guide and one skier were able to get themselves out and, having suffered only minor injuries, helped to dig out the other victims.

A man was confirmed dead and a woman who was "recovered unresponsive and found suffering from life threatening injuries," also died, said Moskaluk.

The fourth skier was rescued and suffered minor injuries.

"All have been transported to medical area facilities," he said.

Mounties are investigating along with the B.C. Coroner's Service.

Wednesday's deaths mark the ninth and 10th avalanche-related fatalities in B.C. this season.