COSAR members trekking through the woods during a rescue at Big White Ski Resort.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Central Okanagan Search and Rescue
February 24, 2025 - 10:44 AM
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue volunteers were called to two separate rescues over the weekend, the first for an injured snowmobiler and then a group of skiers who ended up in dangerous situations.
Search and rescue was called to help some backcountry skiers around Big White Ski Resort late Sunday night, Feb. 23, according to a media release.
This is the third time this month skiers had to be rescued from the deep snow in the backcountry but Big White Ski Patrol managed to handle the first two incidents on its own.
Six COSAR members snowmobiled into the Moonlight Bowl area then three members skinned three kilometres through the dense forest to the skiers who were stuck in the snow. The stuck skiers were suffering from hypothermia.
COSAR warmed them up, gave them snowshoes and walked them back to the sleds to return to base by 3:40 a.m.
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COSAR helping an injured snowmobile rider at Hunters Range on Feb. 21, 2025.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Central Okanagan Search and Rescue
Three members of the search group were snowmobiling at Hunters Range when they were called to the scene of a serious snowmobile accident on Friday, Feb. 21.
Members cared for the injured rider and called 911 to coordinate the rescue. The medics assessed and stabilized the rider and then helped build two fires to keep him warm while waiting for an evacuation toboggan.
Vernon Search and Rescue members were called in to transport the rider down the hill, and some sledders at the main cabin gave clothes and blankets to help keep the injured rider warm.
Skiers and snowboarders exploring the backcountry are reminded to carry all the proper gear and be prepared to stay the night if they don’t know the area.
Click here for outdoor adventure safety tips.
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