Backcountry skier rescues himself at Big White

A major search effort was called off last night, March 8, after a backcountry skier at Big White Ski Resort managed to make his own way to safety.

The skier failed to meet up with his family as scheduled and texted them that he had a broken skin, which is used to help cross-country skiers climb uphill, according to a Central Okanagan Search and Rescue media release.

The family called the RCMP who, in turn, called search and rescue. They called out a helicopter to search by air and, with the help of Kelowna Snowmobile Club members, prepared to launch a search effort after not being able to reach the skier by phone.

The search effort was called off after the skier got to safety on his own.

This is Central Okanagan Search and Rescue’s third backcountry search this year. It reminds people that it does not charge for rescue operations.

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