By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Three skiers who ventured out of bounds at Baldy Mountain Resort on Saturday, Feb. 15 were rescued safe and sound after they ended up lost and a “considerable distance” away from the resort. Contributing to the successful rescue was the fact the trio did everything they should have after realizing their predicament, say rescuers.
In a social media post the resort noted that three teens had travelled out of bounds at the top corner of the resort’s Jolly Jack run.
“This caused them to head a considerable distance away from the resort and resulted in a call to Search and Rescue,” the resort said adding that the teens “remained in a safe location, were able to find cell service to be able to call our ski patrol and took direction incredibly well to ensure a safe recovery.”
The Oliver/Osoyoos Search and Rescue confirmed they were tasked out by the RCMP at approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday to search for three teen skiers reported missing in the Mount Baldy area.
While awaiting the arrival of the OOSAR, the ski patrol remained in contact with the young skiers, helping them to prepare for recovery.
The OOSAR said that through cell phone contact with the group their location was confirmed along with a confirmation that all three individuals were okay and not injured.
“Due to required safety precautions along with route finding to get to the subjects, physical contact was finally established at approximately 10 p.m.,” according to the OOSAR which used snowmobiles to reach the skiers. All rescuers and the subjects were back at the Baldy Mountain Resort Lodge by 10:30 p.m. the organization said.
Baldy Mountain Resort expressed its thanks for the rescue efforts saying: “Big thank you to our ski patrol staying in contact with the group, helping them in prepping for recovery, and thank you to the Oliver/Osoyoos Search and Rescue for arriving swiftly and rescuing the group as quick as they did. The teens were completely unharmed and remained warm until extraction later that evening.”
It added: “Please do continue to enjoy Baldy, but please ensure you are skiing within bounds and reading all important safety signage placed across the runs and the resort.
“Skiing out of bounds can result in much worse scenarios than this one. There are a plethora of unknown dangers when in territory away from the resort,” it added.
The OOSAR said there were some important takeaways from this rescue. The three missing individuals did the right thing and stayed in one location when they realized they were lost. After discussion with SAR and Baldy Mountain Resort Ski Patrol they started working their way back to the ski area.
They conserved cell phone batteries so that the rescuers could keep in contact with them, and the OOSAR notes they were fortunate to be in an area that had cell service.
“A reminder to all that if you do choose to venture out of a ski area to make sure that you follow the “3 T’s,” – Take the essentials with you, leave a Trip plan, and make sure that you have the appropriate Training.
More information on backcountry safety can be found at BC AdventureSmart.
