Minetta Norrie Obituary, Death – A Calgary kindergarten teacher has been identified as the victim of a fatal avalanche in Kananaskis Country on Friday. Minetta Norrie, 34, lost her life after being caught in the slide while backcountry skiing with a group of friends.
The avalanche occurred around 4 p.m. in the Black Prince area of Kananaskis, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Norrie was one of four skiers in the group, but she was the only one caught in the avalanche. Despite emergency efforts, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Norrie’s family confirmed her passing to CTV News, while her friends and colleagues mourned the loss of a vibrant and adventurous individual. She was a well-loved teacher at Cappy Smart School under the Calgary Board of Education.
Remembering Minetta Norrie
Longtime friend Emily King-Moore, who had known Norrie for over two decades, described her as a passionate, energetic, and larger-than-life person.
“The idea that Min has died is almost incomprehensible because she is one of the most alive people I will ever know,” King-Moore said.
“She was full of passion and energy, and she was loud, and she lived large, and she was adventurous and full of love and was a real character.”
Norrie was an experienced backcountry skier with proper avalanche training and safety gear. According to King-Moore, she and her group had taken all necessary precautions before heading into the mountains that day.
“She wasn’t a rookie; there was nothing irresponsible about what they were doing,” King-Moore said.
“They had all the avalanche training; they had all the equipment. She really was a mountain girl.”
Emergency Response and Avalanche Conditions
Authorities responded quickly after receiving an emergency beacon signal from the group. A Kananaskis Country EMS unit was dispatched to the area north of the Black Prince Day Use Area. However, despite rescue efforts, Norrie did not survive.
At the time of the avalanche, the conditions in Kananaskis were rated as “considerable,” meaning the risk was elevated, and slides were possible on certain slopes. Officials continue to warn backcountry skiers and snowboarders about the potential dangers in avalanche-prone areas.
Norrie’s passing has left a deep impact on her community, students, and loved ones, who remember her as a fearless adventurer and dedicated educator.