COURTENAY, B.C. - An 18-year-old skier injured in a small avalanche in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island has been airlifted to safety.

The teen was hoisted out of the area, five kilometres west of Mount Washington, just after 3 a.m. and is being treated in hospital for a suspected broken leg.

Rescue efforts began Tuesday afternoon when the slide occurred in an area west of the Mount Washington Ski Resort boundaries, catching a group of four backcountry skiers, ranging in age from 18 to 30.

Members of the Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue reached the group Tuesday evening and stabilized the injured skier, who was lying in chest deep snow at the base of a nearly eight metre cliff.

Air force search and rescue technicians from the 442 Squadron based in nearby Comox were lowered to the scene late Tuesday night to assist the ground crews and prepare the teen for the early-morning airlift.

Officials say the stranded ski-touring party was well-prepared for the conditions, and the remaining three skiers were led out of the avalanche area by the Comox Valley rescue team members.

Also on HuffPost:

Loading Slideshow...

  • A French delegation, including French Interior Minister Manuel Valls, second from right, board a police helicopter after an avalanche in the French Alps near Chamonix, France, swept at least nine climbers to their deaths, Thursday, July 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • A French rescue helicopter returns to a helipad after searching the area where an avalanche in the French Alps near Chamonix, France, swept at least nine climbers to their deaths, Thursday, July 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • Clouds billow over the French Alps where an avalanche in the mountains near Chamonix, France, swept at least nine climbers to their deaths, Thursday, July 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • A French rescue helicopter leaves for a search mission after an avalanche in the French Alps near Chamonix, France, swept at least nine climbers to their deaths, Thursday, July 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • French rescue works arrive at a helicopter landing area after an avalanche in the French Alps near Chamonix, France, swept at least nine climbers to their deaths, Thursday, July 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • A rescue worker helicopter returning from the avalanche site, lands in Chamonix, French Alps, Thursday, July, 12, 2012. (AP Photo)

  • Gendarmes use blankets to hide victims of an avalanche at Chamonix rescue base, French Alps, Thursday, July, 12, 2012. (AP Photo)

  • In this June 1, 2005 file picture the "Mont Maudit", center, and the "Mont Blanc" main peak, right rear, are photographed at 4,808 meters above sea level above Chamonix, France. (AP Photo/Keystone/Arno Balzarini, File)

  • This June 1, 2005 file picture shows alpinists on the Arete Cosmique with a view of the north side of Mont Blanc du Tacul, left, the Mont Maudit, center, and the Mont Blanc, right. (AP Photo/fls/Keystone/Arno Balzarini, File)