Missing out-of-bounds skiers in Revelstoke

Backcountry enthusiasts are being reminded to be prepared after a spate of recent events.

Revelstoke RCMP staff sergeant Kurt Grabinsky has released a report after Revelstoke RCMP and Revelstoke Search and Rescue (SAR) were activated to deal with a two separate incidents on Tuesday Jan. 24 where skiers had gone out of bounds at Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) .

The first group, five people from Denmark, got separated from their group of 20 skiers and were reported as missing.

They were not equipped to spend the night. Revelstoke SAR was deployed to search for these missing skiers. At approximately 11 p.m. a 911 call was received from the group indicating that they were able to hike back in bounds of RMR to a warming hut where they were eventually met by SAR. Fortunately there were no injuries.

A second skier from Germany was reported stranded while having skied out of bounds and was observed by helicopter in an area referred to as Greely Bowl. This skier was equipped with avalanche gear and water however unable to self-rescue. A helicopter was able to drop a radio to him and determine his coordinates. Revelstoke SAR skiers travelled at night to reach him, but were unable to get to him due to the challenging terrain.

At first light on Jan. 25, Revelstoke SAR was re-deployed with a helicopter and located the skier who was in good health.

A heli rescue in progress. Photo: Contributed by REVSAR

In the past four weeks Revelstoke SAR has been activated on several occasions to deal with similar incidents for either skiers, snow boarders or snowmobilers stranded in the back country.

Rescue missions such as these, especially in the current weather conditions; light snow, wind and temperatures below zero, place emergency personnel at risk.

RCMP are asking people to  formulate a plan, tell others where you are going and when you expect to return. Be prepared with your equipment, travel in groups and be prepared to spend the night.

People enjoying the outdoors with skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowbiking or even hiking, must be equipped with the appropriate safety equipment, i.e. transceivers, probes, shovels, as well as having the appropriate training with good knowledge of the terrain.

Search and Rescue and the RCMP cannot stress enough the importance of obeying advisory warning signs and ski area boundary markers. If you are not prepared, the reality is you could become lost, seriously injured or die.

Weather conditions and terrain can change rapidly. It is advised that if you are planning to enter the back country to check weather conditions throughout the day as well as avalanche conditions, and be prepared for the conditions of the following day as well.