The Voice of BC Snowmobilers

VICTORIA – A need for greater avalanche awareness within the snowmobiling community is one of the key findings in the BC Coroner Service’s Death Review Panel report into the deaths of 19 snowmobilers last winter.
 
In many of the fatalities the panel found the individuals had underestimated avalanche risks when faced with complex terrain and difficult snow conditions. The panel also noted among its key findings that snowmobile use has increased in recent years; modern machines allow riders to access more complex and vast terrain than ever before; and, there is a growing gap between snowmobilers and backcountry skiers in their respective levels of avalanche awareness and preparedness.
 
The panel made 15 recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future including:

NEWS RELEASE

SNOWMOBILE ACCESS TO THE BRITISH COLUMBIA BACKCOUNTRY

THE RESPONSIBLE RECREATIONAL SNOWMOBILER IN THE BRITISH COLUMBIA BACKCOUNTRY

The Canadian Avalanche Centre has combined photos and information relating to selected incidents this year in which lives were lost. This is another component of the CAC ongoing awareness program to assist those recreating in the backcountry to make informed and safe choices with regard to the terrain they are in.

Read entire document here.

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