Fernie Search and Rescue (SAR) recovered three skiers and one snowmobiler this past week, after three backcountry skiers were reported as lost in the Lost Boys pass area on Thursday, April 9 and a snowmobiler was injured near Wrangler’s Cabin on Sunday, April 12.
Simon Piney with Fernie SAR said that a helicopter search team located the three backcountry skiers on top of Mammoth Head above Fernie Alpine Resort.
On Sunday rescue crews found a 25-year-old Jaffray man with significant lower back trauma and a suspected broken ankle, following a snowmobiling accident.
Thursday's rescue involved a helicopter landing to rescue two of the skiers, however, due to fading light and Fernie SAR not wanting the third skier to be left on their own, rescue crews kept in contact with all three skiers as they made their way down the hill on foot.
“As all three were in good spirits, well equipped and uninjured, Fernie SAR was able to direct them [on] how to get back to the resort and down to the base,” Piney said. “Call contact was maintained until they were safely back at the base of the ski hill at around midnight. Fernie Alpine Resort management alerted Cat crews to ensure safe passage down the ski hill.”
The snowmobiler that was injured on Sunday was packaged for flight with the assistance of other snowmobilers and taken by helicopter to the Elk Valley Hospital, Piney said.
