Are avalanches occasionally triggered on purpose, as with Controlled Burning that goes on near my area of California?
Is that what was going on? Or was this simply a matter of being on the wrong ski trail at the wrong time?
Yes, avalanches are often triggered on purpose as preventative measures. It sounds like he was out recreational skiing or maybe scouting for avalanche danger areas.
We use arty in the rockies in AB and BC.