The people over at Big White Ski Resort in Canada have an important message after a rescue mission on Sunday: Please stay in bounds.
Ski patrol got a call from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at 2:15 p.m. on February 23, 2025 after a distress call was made through an Apple Emergency Satellite. Search and rescue was activated, and along with ski patrol, found two people who were trapped in deep snow and suffering from hypothermia.
The two skiers were rescued by 4:35 a.m. the next day.
“Backcountry travel is extremely dangerous, and rescues put multiple lives at risk—not just your own but also those of the teams sent to save you. Always respect resort boundaries and stay in marked areas,” a social media post from the resort says. “If you plan to explore outside the ski area, you must be properly equipped and understand the risks.”
Six members of the Central Okanagan search and rescue team snowmobiled into the Moonlight Bowl area and another three members skinned nearly 2 miles through the forest to reach the two people who were trapped in the snow.
Photo: COSAR
“COSAR warmed them, provided them with snowshoes and walked them back to the sleds to return to base by 3:40 a.m. this morning,” a Facebook post said. “COSAR would like to remind skiers interested in exploring the backcountry to carry all the proper gear and if they don't know the area, be prepared to spend the night.”
Central Okanagan search and rescue went into recovery mode just a few days earlier, when a skier was separated from his friends in the Gem Lake area when the lift was shut down. The others immediately reported him missing to the Big White ski patrol, but the missing person was found by ski patrollers while COSAR was en route.
COSAR was also activated after a serious snowmobile accident at Hunters Range. Two other snowmobilers assisted in providing care and warmth to the rider before he was eventually evacuated via toboggan.
Related: Ski Patroller Caught in Mammoth Mountain Avalanche Has Died