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91ƵVery lucky91Ƶ; four lost skiers at Big White found safe after venturing out of bounds

91ƵIt could have been much worse,91Ƶ said resort senior vice president, Michael Ballingall
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Social activity in homes and accommodation at Big White Ski Resort has resulted in the transmission of COVID-19. (Big White Ski Resort photo)

Four skiers who went missing out of bounds at Big White Ski Resort on Thursday managed to make it out safely, something the resort hailed as 91Ƶlucky91Ƶ.

It took the four skiers more than four hours to find their way back to the resort.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., Big White Ski Resort was notified of two groups of skiers missing out of bounds at the resort. According to resort senior vice president, Michael Ballingall, the two groups became one after becoming lost.

All four were found safe and uninjured, but not without the help of local rescue teams. However, with no travel plan to reference, rescue crews were forced to start from scratch.

Contact was eventually made with the skiers who informed crews they were on the west side of the West Ridge - on the backside of the mountain.

Due to spotty rescue crews struggled to give the group directions. About 45 minutes after establishing contact the skiers confirmed they were heading in the right direction.

91ƵThe actual two groups combined into one, and then they walked out. It could have been much worse. The story ended well, but the resources that were on standby - search and rescue, RCMP, pro-patrol, it really didn91Ƶt have to occur. Because you shouldn91Ƶt be out of bounds,91Ƶ said Ballingall.

By about 6 p.m., the group had found their way back in bounds.

91ƵThey were very lucky,91Ƶ Ballingall said.

Ballingall discouraged anyone without expertise and knowledge from heading out of bounds.

91ƵThe only reason you91Ƶre going out of bounds is to get fresh tracks, and if you would have waited 12 hours, there91Ƶs plenty of fresh tracks in bounds,91Ƶ Ballingall said.

The resort received 27 centimetres of snow by Friday morning (Feb. 5).

Ballingall encouraged everyone to continuously for avalanche conditions, before heading out. Yesterday91Ƶs conditions, he said, were considered high danger rating. Conditions Friday (Feb.5) around the region are considerable.

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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com


 


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Phil McLachlan

About the Author: Phil McLachlan

Phil McLachlan is the editor at the Penticton Western News. He served as the reporter, and eventually editor of The Free Press newspaper in Fernie.
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