New York/Calgary  - The body of an eighth snowmobiler was found Tuesday in the Canadian province of British Columbia two days after being caught in an avalanche, local media reported.

A search team found the 28-year-old man under metres of snow about 300 kilometres south-west of winter sport resort Calgary, CTV reported.

The group of 11 snowmobilers encountered two avalanches Sunday afternoon about 20 kilometres east of Fernie town in the Canadian Rockies. The men had been in the Harvey Pass area, a popular destination for snowmobilers.

One avalanche buried part of the group, while the second buried the rest as they tried to help, Canadian broadcaster CTV said. Three men escaped with minor wounds.

The group was composed of experienced snowmobilers, between the ages of 20 and 40, many of whom had been friends since their schooldays. Several were the parents of young children. (dpa)